The Nigerian government is allegedly working behind the scenes to ensure the collapse of the high-profile money laundering case against former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose.
Despite overwhelming evidence of wrongdoing, sources close to the case claim that powerful interests within President Bola Tinubu’s administration are pushing for the case to be quietly buried.
Fayose is standing trial on an 11-count charge of money laundering, accused of receiving ₦2.2 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) during the 2014 Ekiti governorship election.
The funds were allegedly diverted for personal gain rather than used for his campaign. According to prosecution evidence, Fayose coordinated with Senator Musiliu Obanikoro to collect the funds, which were wired to Sylvan Mcnamara Limited, a company linked to Obanikoro with evidences showing:
- ₦2.2 billion was wired to Sylvan Mcnamara Limited, ostensibly for security equipment, but never used for that purpose
- Funds were withdrawn in cash — ₦1.2 billion in Naira and about $5 million in US dollars — and handed over to Fayose via clandestine deliveries
- Fayose allegedly used the funds to buy properties in Lagos and Abuja, structuring purchases to conceal his ownership
Fayose allegedly used ₦1.3 billion to buy four chalets on Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, registering the properties in the name of J.J Technical Limited. He also bought:
– 44 Osun Crescent, Maitama, Abuja*: ₦200 million, using his sister Moji Ladeji as the named purchaser
– Plot 1504, Yedsema Street, Maitama, Abuja*: ₦270 million, in the name of his company Spotless Limited
The Federal High Court is scheduled to rule on July 10, 2025, on whether Fayose must enter his defense following the prosecution’s case.
Sources claim that the government is working to frustrate the prosecution, potentially leading to the case being dismissed for lack of diligent prosecution.
