The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced on July 16, 2025, its intention to appeal a federal high court’s acquittal of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose in a ₦6.9 billion fraud case.
The decision follows a ruling on July 10, where Justice Nnamdi Dimgba cleared Fayose of money laundering and theft charges linked to funds allegedly misappropriated during his 2014-2018 tenure. The EFCC, which had prosecuted the case since 2018, cited new evidence, including bank records showing ₦1.2 billion in questionable transactions, as grounds for the appeal, expected to be filed within 14 days at the Court of Appeal.
Fayose, a prominent PDP figure, celebrated the verdict as vindication, calling it a “miscarriage of justice” during a press conference in Ado-Ekiti. The case, one of Nigeria’s high-profile corruption probes, involved allegations of diverted security votes and campaign financing, with the EFCC seizing assets worth ₦3.5 billion.
Legal experts suggest the appeal hinges on procedural errors rather than substantive proof, given the court’s finding of insufficient evidence. The move has reignited debates on the EFCC’s independence under Tinubu’s administration, with critics alleging political motivation, while supporters argue it reflects a commitment to accountability, especially as Fayose eyes a 2027 political comeback.