EFCC: High court orders Kogi ex Gov. to present himself for trial over 80.2 Billion money laundering

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an ex-parte order preventing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating O’Seun Odewale, the former Director General of Procurement for Ekiti State. Odewale is facing allegations of embezzling funds earmarked for the Ekiti Airport project, among other accusations.

In a related development, Justice Nwite also directed former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to present himself for trial in connection with an N80.2 billion money laundering case brought against him by the EFCC.

Fusion Chronicles Nigeria Newspaper gathered that on October 17, 2022, former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi inaugurated the incomplete Ekiti Cargo Airport along the Ado-Ijan Road. Fayemi described the project as a milestone for the state’s socio-economic development, though reports indicate several key facilities, including the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, remain unfinished.

Fayemi had previously emphasized that the project, which started in 2019, aimed to boost Ekiti’s economy by attracting investors, facilitating the transportation of agricultural products, and creating job opportunities. However, the state government later confirmed that the airport, despite its inauguration, was still under construction.

In an effort to avoid prosecution, Odewale and Ariyo Oyinkolawa Adesola filed an application before Justice Nwite in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1340/2024, seeking to halt the EFCC’s investigation. On September 13, Justice Nwite granted the application, ordering all parties involved to maintain the status quo.

Odewale, in an affidavit dated September 10, 2024, alleged that EFCC operatives had previously detained him and tried to coerce him into admitting to the alleged embezzlement, which he denied. He explained that the EFCC’s questions focused primarily on contracts awarded by the Ekiti State Government, particularly the airport project initiated by Fayemi’s administration, and other minor contracts under his tenure.

Odewale’s lawyer, Chief R.O. Balogun, SAN, argued that his clients had been detained beyond the constitutional limits and challenged the EFCC’s authority to investigate contracts awarded by the Ekiti State Government. He pointed out that the matter is currently under appeal at the Court of Appeal in Ado-Ekiti, and there is a pending motion for a stay of execution and injunction.

Balogun urged the court to restrain the EFCC from further harassing or summoning his clients, warning that they would suffer “irreparable damage or grievous hardship” if the ex-parte motion was not granted.

During a hearing on Friday, Balogun reiterated that EFCC operatives continued to threaten his client despite the ongoing legal proceedings. In response, Justice Nwite ruled that it was in the interest of justice to order all parties to maintain the status quo until the matter is resolved, adjourning the case to September 26, 2024.