The immediate past governor of Ekiti State, AYODELE FAYOSE has being arraigned before Justice MOJISOLA OLATOREGUN of the Federal High Court in Lagos amid tight security.
FAYOSE arrived the court in a white Toyota Hiacebus in the company of EFCC officials for his trial.
The former governor who is facing an 11-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
FAYOSE is being defended by a former Attorney General of the Federation, KANU AGABI.
Already the anti-graft agency has assembled 22 witnesses to testify against FAYOSE, in court for an alleged fraud of N30.8bn.
Among the witnesses lined up to testify against the ex-governor is a former Minister of State for Defence, MUSILIU OBANIKORO, and a former Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank Plc, ALEX OTTI.
Also to testify is AYOTUNDE OWOPE, said to be FAYOSE’s account officer who is alleged to have transferred funds from one account to another for him.
OBANIKORO, who was listed as the second witness, is expected to testify about how he took N2.2bn from the then National Security Adviser, SAMBO DASUKI, for delivery to FAYOSE in June 2014.
Spokesman to the former Governor, LERE OLAYINKA spoke to TAIWO OLAPADE ahead of his day in court.
Our correspondent reports that Justice MOJISOLA OLATOREGUN has adjourned the case until October 24 for the hearing of the bail application for FAYOSE.
The court also ordered that FAYOSE should be remanded in custody of the EFCC pending the hearing on his bail.
