The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Esther Ashivelli Dawaki and Shehu Aliyu Fatange before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The Kaduna Zonal Directorate accused them of vote buying and money laundering involving ₦26 million.
The defendants face a five-count charge, including conspiracy, unlawful cash transactions, and money laundering.
According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, operatives arrested the suspects on August 16, 2025, after credible intelligence. He explained that officers discovered ₦26,463,000 in a 2010 Toyota Corolla owned by Fatange, parked at a Kaduna hotel.
Campaign Director Implicated
During the arrest, Fatange identified himself as the Director-General of the campaign team for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency bye-election, held the same day. The EFCC alleged the funds were reserved for vote buying.
One of the charges stated that Dawaki procured Fatange to receive ₦26 million in cash, a transaction above the legal threshold, without passing through a financial institution. The EFCC said this contravened the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Another charge accused Fatange of accepting the ₦26 million directly from Dawaki, also in violation of the same Act.
Defendants Remanded in Custody
Both Dawaki and Fatange pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel, M. O. Arumemi, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants.
Defense counsels, E. N. Ogbu and A. A. Ashat, did not oppose but asked for a short adjournment. They also appealed to the court to keep their clients in EFCC custody pending a bail ruling.
Justice Nwite ordered Dawaki’s remand at the Suleja Correctional Centre and directed Fatange to Kuje Correctional Centre. The judge adjourned the matter until Monday, September 15, 2025, for hearing on their bail applications.
