By Praise Afolabi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned Esther Ashivilli Dawaki, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency by-election, and her campaign director general, Shehu Aliyu Fatange, before a Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of money laundering and related financial crimes.
The duo, brought before Justice Emeka Nwite, face a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, money laundering, and accepting cash payments above the legally permitted limit. According to the EFCC, Dawaki and Fatange were linked to a cash transaction of ₦26 million, allegedly in breach of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
One of the charges alleged that Dawaki procured Fatange to accept ₦26 million in cash without passing through a financial institution, while another count accused Fatange of receiving the same amount from Dawaki, in violation of the law. Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their pleas, EFCC counsel, M.O. Arumemi, urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendants in a correctional facility. Defence lawyers, E.N. Ogbu and A.A. Ashat, made oral applications for bail, requesting that their clients remain in EFCC custody pending a decision.
Justice Nwite, however, ordered Dawaki’s remand at the Suleja Correctional Centre and Fatange’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The judge adjourned the case until Monday, September 15, 2025, for hearing of the bail applications.
The EFCC said both defendants were arrested on August 16, 2025, after operatives acting on intelligence discovered ₦26,463,000.00 concealed in a Toyota Corolla registered to Fatange and parked at a Kaduna hotel. Investigators alleged the money was earmarked for vote buying in the by-election held the same day.
Fatange, during interrogation, identified himself as the campaign director general for Dawaki, the PDP flag-bearer in the poll. The EFCC insists the money was intended to unduly influence the election.
