Posted by By ADESINA AIYEKOTI on
Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday urged Federal High Court to dismiss the application brought by the former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Ayo Fayose, seeking order to quash the 51-count charge of money laundering preferred against him.
Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday urged Federal High Court to dismiss the application brought by the former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Ayo Fayose, seeking order to quash the 51-count charge of money laundering preferred against him.
Arguing through its prosecuting counsel, Mr. Wahab Shittu, EFCC insisted that a Federal High Court in Lagos, had jurisdiction to try Fayose, adding that there are serious issues to be looked into bordering on the mismanagement of the fund belonging to the Ekiti State government.
The counsel further urged that one of the accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him, 'in law, it means that the accused is ready for trial."
Countering the application, Shittu submitted that section 19 of the Money Laundering Act, empowered the Federal High Court to entertain any money laundering matter.
He, therefore, prayed the court to allow the trial to proceed in the interest of Ekiti State.
In his preliminary application, Fayose prayed the court to quash the charges against him, challenging the jurisdiction of the trial court sitting in Lagos.
Meanwhile, Justice Tijani Abubakar, had reserved ruling till June 30.