afrol News, 29 April - The former governor of Nigeria's Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has challenged the fraud and money-laundering charges brought against him by the anti-graft commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC].

The anti-graft agency has filed a 51-count suit against the former Ekiti governor at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Mr Fayose filed a preliminary objecting, challenging the juridiction of the Lagos court to preside over a case that was allegedly committed in Ekiti. The accused also blamed the commission for its failure to substantiate its claims.

The former governor's attorney, Kehinde Elijah, who filed the preliminary objection on behalf of his client, urged the court to first consider the application before the trial proper starts.

The EFCC accused the defence of merely delaying the case unnecessarily.

"We have our six witnesses in court and perhaps, they should be allowed to show their faces," the EFCC counsel, Wahab Shittu told the court. He said the witnesses include Gbenga James, a former aide to the accused.

"We know that when jurisdiction is challenged, nothing else will be done until it is heard and determined," he said, urging the court to "take into account the conduct of the defence counsel."

He said it was an irony for the defence to challenge the jurisdiction of the court at the eleventh hour.

The case had been adjourned to 3 and 4 June 2008.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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