The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna Zonal Directorate, on Wednesday arraigned Esther Ashivelli Dawaki and Shehu Aliyu Fatange before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on allegations of money laundering and vote buying involving about ₦26.4 million.
According to the EFCC, the funds were discovered in a Toyota Corolla parked at a hotel in Kaduna on August 16, 2025, the same day a by-election was held in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency. Fatange was said to have identified himself as the Director-General of the campaign office for the opposition party’s candidate in the election.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge. The court ordered Dawaki to be remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre and Fatange at Kuje Correctional Centre, pending a hearing on their bail applications scheduled for September 15, 2025.
The EFCC maintains that the case highlights its continuing crackdown on electoral malpractice and money laundering.
EFCC Arraigns Two Over ₦26 Million Alleged Vote Buying and Money Laundering
