A key witness presented by former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi stumbled under cross-examination on Wednesday in the ongoing defamation suit against Omoyele Sowore and SaharaReporters.

Barr. Ashishana Bayo Okauru, former Director-General of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, admitted in court that contractors involved in the controversial Paris Club refund held secret meetings with Fayemi, during which kickback demands were allegedly made. He clarified, however, that he could not confirm whether any bribes were actually exchanged.

The witness, who had previously described Fayemi as “upright and incorruptible,” also conceded that outside the six years they worked closely, he knew little about Fayemi’s private dealings. Further scrutiny revealed that although Fayemi commissioned the Ekiti State Airport before leaving office in 2022, the witness only became aware in 2025 that aircraft had actually landed there, raising questions about the airport’s operational status.

Observers noted that these admissions undermined the credibility of Fayemi’s case. In response, Fayemi’s counsel applied for an adjournment, signaling a possible shift in legal strategy. The trial has been adjourned to February 25, 2026.

Background

The suit stems from allegations by Sowore and SaharaReporters that Fayemi engaged in corrupt practices during his tenure. The defendants’ 47-paragraph defence claims that Fayemi has no reputation to protect, citing previous charges of financial impropriety, misuse of funds for the Ekiti Cargo Airport, and mismanagement of projects such as the Ekiti Rice Pyramid.

The defence also alleges that Fayemi diverted funds from the London/Paris Club refund, took a $20 million loan during the COVID-19 pandemic despite local fundraising efforts, and misrepresented the functionality of state projects he publicly promoted.

The case continues to attract attention as the court examines whether the defendants’ reporting constituted libel or was a truthful account of alleged misdeeds by the former governor.