The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of 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, on charges of money laundering and alleged vote buying involving ₦26 million.
The duo faces a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, money laundering, and accepting cash payments above the threshold permitted by law. According to the EFCC, they were arrested on August 16, 2025, after operatives intercepted ₦26,463,000 concealed in a Toyota Corolla allegedly linked to Fatange at a Kaduna hotel. The funds were suspected to have been earmarked for vote buying during the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency bye-election held the same day.
Fatange, who identified himself as the Director-General of the campaign office of a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, and Dawaki both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecution counsel M.O. Arumemi requested a trial date and their remand in custody, while defence counsel E.N. Ogbu and A.A. Ashat applied orally for bail. Justice Nwite ordered Dawaki to be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre and Fatange at the Kuje Correctional Centre, adjourning the case to September 15, 2025, for bail hearing.
