On Friday, Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, dismissed the no-case submission filed by a former Ekiti state Commissioner, Femi Thomas to stop his criminal trial for alleged money laundering to the tune of $2,198,900.
Mr Thomas is also the former Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Thomas is standing trial alongside Kabiru Sidi, a Bureau De Change operator, on an amended seven-count charge bordering on money laundering brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Last month, the anti-graft agency alleged that the two-term Commissioner for Health in Ekiti State, conspired with his wife, to make cash payment of $2.2m to one Mr. Ibitoye John Bamidele, at their residence 20, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos.
Sidi was charged for allegedly lying to an EFCC investigator, Afeez Mustapha, that he was the owner of the $2.2m that Thomas and his wife transacted with.
Mr Thomas has been remanded in Ikoyi correctional facility.