EFCC Arraigns Two Over N26m Vote-Buying, Money Laundering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna Zonal Directorate, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, arraigned two suspects, 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 N26 million.

The duo are facing a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, accepting and making cash payments above the legal threshold, and laundering of N26 million in contravention of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

One of the charges alleged that Dawaki procured Fatange to accept N26 million in cash without passing through a financial institution, while another accused Fatange of personally receiving the money from Dawaki.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts. Prosecution counsel, M.O. Arumemi, thereafter requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the suspects in a correctional facility.

Though defence lawyers E.N. Ogbu and A.A. Ashat did not oppose the application, they asked for bail and requested that their clients be temporarily held in EFCC custody.

Justice Nwite, however, ordered Dawaki’s remand at Suleja Correctional Centre and Fatange’s at Kuje Correctional Centre. He adjourned hearing of their bail applications to Monday, September 15, 2025.

The defendants were arrested on August 16, 2025, after operatives intercepted N26.46 million concealed in a Toyota Corolla parked at a hotel in Kaduna.

Fatange, who identified himself as Director-General of the campaign office of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency bye-election held that same day, was alleged to have earmarked the cash for vote buying.