The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been asked by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Center (HEDA) to look into an alleged money-laundering transaction involving former president Olusegun Obasanjo and former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose.
HEDA cited a media story from November 25, 2025, in which Fayose acknowledged paying Obasanjo $20,000 in cash as logistical support for attending his 65th birthday celebration in Lagos, in the petition filed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju. Obasanjo openly acknowledged that he had returned the cash.
According to the group, both men’s confessions violated the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which requires financial institutions to handle greater amounts and caps individual cash transactions at ₦5 million.
HEDA pointed out that the Act’s Section 19 stipulates fines for these kinds of illegal activities.
According to Suraju, Fayose and Obasanjo’s remarks were blatant acknowledgements of an illegal financial transaction that was carried out well above the permitted cash barrier.
In order to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s anti-money-laundering system, he called on the EFCC to look into and prosecute the case immediately.
The group warned that ignoring the event would jeopardize current initiatives to stop the dollarization of the economy and erode public trust in anti-money-laundering enforcement.
As proof of the EFCC’s renewed resolve to uphold the law, it referenced Mr. Precious Uzondu’s recent conviction for foreign exchange dealings.
HEDA reiterated its dedication to encouraging accountability and asked the Commission to give the issue top priority.
