The EFCC alleged that on June 17, 2014, Fayose “took possession of the sum of N1, 219, 000,000 to fund your 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State

Henry Umahi

The immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, was released from detention, yesterday, having fulfilled the terms of his bail.

His spokesman, Lere Olayinka, made the disclosure on his Twitter handle @OlayinkaLere: “Fayose just regained his freedom. He left the Federal High Court, Ikoyi a few minutes ago. We will meet @officialEFCC at the court from November 19. Thank you Nigerians.”

READ ALSO: Court grants Fayose bail, bars him from travelling

Last Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Lagos granted the former governor a N50 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

Justice Mojisola ordered that Fayose be remanded in prison pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions. The judge also ordered Fayose to deposit his international passport with the court.

The former governor was arraigned on an 11-count bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that Fayose received funds for his 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State, a sum it said the former governor ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.

He was arraigned six days after his tenure as governor expired. Among other charges, the EFCC alleged that on June 17, 2014, Fayose “took possession of the sum of N1, 219, 000,000 to fund your 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State, which you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”

“Received a cash payment of $5,000,000 from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, the then Minister of State for Defence, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 1 and 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.

“Using an aggregate sum of N1,151,711,573 to acquire chalets 3 and 4; and 5 and 9 of the property situate at Plot 100 Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos in the name of JJ Technical Service.”

Fayose and his company, Spotless Nigeria Limited, pleaded not guilty to the charges.