The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, arraigned Esther Ashivelli Dawaki and Shehu Aliyu Fatange before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on a five-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering involving ₦26 million.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly accepted and made cash payments above the legal limit without using a financial institution. One count stated that Dawaki procured Fatange to accept ₦26 million in cash, in violation of Sections 21(c)(a) and 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Another charge accused Fatange of directly receiving the funds.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel M.O. Arumemi requested a trial date and their remand in a correctional facility. Defence lawyers E.N. Ogbu and A.A. Ashat sought bail and asked that the pair be kept in EFCC custody pending a hearing.
Justice Nwite ordered Dawaki remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre and Fatange at Kuje Correctional Centre, adjourning the case to Monday, September 15, 2025, for a bail hearing.
EFCC investigators said the suspects were arrested on August 16, 2025, after ₦26,463,000 was found in a Toyota Corolla allegedly parked at a Kaduna hotel. Fatange, identified as the director general of the PDP campaign office for the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency bye-election held that day, is suspected to have intended the cash for vote buying.
