The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has discharged and acquitted former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, of allegations bordering on money laundering and theft totaling ₦6.9 billion.

In a ruling delivered by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, the court upheld a no-case submission filed by Fayose, effectively ending the trial initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Aneke held that the anti-graft agency failed to establish a prima facie case against the former governor, stating that the prosecution was unable to link him directly to the alleged crimes.

With the court’s decision, Fayose walks free after years of legal battles over the charges, which stemmed from claims of financial misconduct during his tenure as governor.