The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ado-Ekiti

  • Ekiti debts: DMO, Fayose bicker over state liability

    The Debt Management Office ( DMO ) has said that the immediate past administration of Mr Ayo Fayose had a debt profile of about N120 billion as at June.

    The revelation about the financial records of Ekiti was contained in a document submitted to the DMO office in Abuja by officials of the state government in July, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday.

    NAN, however, reports that the DMO document was contrary to claims by the former governor that his administration left behind a debt profile of less than N60 billion.

    The DMO is an agency saddled with the statutory responsibility of coordinating debt profile of all the governments in the country.

    NAN reports that Fayose had claimed that Dr Kayode Fayemi’s first tenure as governor plunged the state into a debt burden that would not be paid off until 2036.

    The DMO documents, however, revealed that the bond taken by the Fayemi’s administration was almost completely paid off with the first tranche of N20 billion to be completed in October 2018, and the second tranche of N5 billion bond due for payment in 2020.

    NAN, further, reports that Fayemi had on Oct. 16, during his inauguration announced that his predecessor left behind a N170 billion debt, with a promise to make available the financial situation of the state within his first 100 days in office.

    Reacting to the DMO documents, Fayose through his Media Aide, Lere Olayinka, claimed that the state’s debt profile was below N60 billion, saying that the new governor was being “economical with the truth.’’

    Olayinka, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, titled “Ekiti debt not N120 billion, Fayemi preparing grounds for impending failure”, claimed that Fayose did not commit the state to any financial institution in form of bonds and commercial loans.

    He said that the debt was either directly incurred during Fayemi’s first tenure or as a result of the loans restructuring done at the instance of the Federal Government and the National Economic Council.

    In the document forwarded to the DMO Office by officials of the state government in July, the components of the N120 billion debt by the Fayose administration as at June 31 include Commercial Bank Loans of N2.08 billion received from Wema Bank in 2016 and the balance of N18.23 billion received from the FGN Bond by his government in 2015.

    Others are: Budget Support Facility of N16.9billion received in 2016 and 2017, Salary Bail-Out of N9.08 billion received in 2015, Commercial Bank Loan against funds due to Ekiti State in the FGN Excess Crude Account of N9.55 billion received in 2016.

    The document also showed Contractors Arrears of N2.09billion, Pension and Gratuity Arrears of N22.16 billion, Salaries arrears and other staff claims of N8.37 billion and judgment debt of N95.05 million.

    Read Also: Ekiti Muslims reject Fayemi’s appointments

    The documents also revealed that the domestic debt of Ekiti increased from N117 billion to N120 billion between March and June, 2018, making the debt since Fayose assumed office as the governor to increase from N31 billion in 2014 to N120 billion as at June 31, 2018.

    The report also comprised the commercial agriculture loan of N163.45 million and N3.48 billion outstanding balance of the Bond taken by the Fayemi administration during his first tenure.

    It will be recalled that the former governor got the approval of Ekiti House of Assembly to further incur expenditure of N10 billion barely 30 days to the end of his tenure.

    The debt figure of N120 billion submitted to the DMO office in July 2018, by the state officials does not include outstanding subventions due to tertiary institutions.

    The institutions are the Ekiti State University, College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti and College of Health Technology, Ijero-Ekiti, which is in excess of between N5 billion and N4.8 billion.

    Also, the eight months arrears of salaries and allowances due to the local government workers in the state and other contractual obligations not reported since end of the second quarter of this year is also not included.

    Meanwhile, Fayose’s spokesman gave the breakdown of the debts left behind as follows; Commercial Bank Loan, N2.08 billion, Central Bank of Nigeria Grant for Water Project N163.45 million; Excess Crude Account backed Loan, N9.55 billion, Bailout, N9.08 million; FGN Bonds, N18.23 billion; State Bonds, N3.48 billion and Budget Support, N16.87 billion.

    “Fayemi should publish the Debt Management Office (DMO), Ekiti State Executive Council and House of Assembly approvals for the loans since no loan can be taken without these approvals,” Olayinka said.

    An official of the DMO, who said he was not authorised to speak officially on the matter, in a chat with NAN, expressed dismay at the statement by Fayose’s media aide.

    “It is obvious that all is not well within their camp. The state officials, who have not even given us the latest figures, as at last week, have submitted documents that showed that the state debt profile was in excess of N120 billion and now a close aide of the former governor is denying the figure in a public statement.

    “We are going to work with what we have at our disposal, but it is funny that the former governor’s aide will undermine his administration,” he said.

    Fayose is in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged financial impropriety during his tenure.

  • Fayose hands over to HOS, presides over last cabinet meeting

    Outgoing Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose Friday evening handed over the instruments of office to the Head of Service, Dr. Gbenga Faseluka.

    He surrendered the handover note to Faseluka at a special valedictory State Executive Council meeting at the new Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    Fayose said history would be kind to him the way he managed the resources in trust for the people of the Fountain of Knowledge.

    That would be the last time he would preside over the cabinet meeting in his capacity as the state chief executive.

    The departing governor said he would be available to answer questions on who he ruled the state anytime he is called upon to do so.

    The special cabinet meeting was attended by traditional rulers, legislators, senior government officials and party leaders.

    In an emotion-laden voice, Fayose said: “What has a beginning must have an end. It is not the number of years spent but the quantity and quality of achievements.

    “I thank the people of the state for their cooperation and urge them to extend same to the incoming administration.

    “There should never be a vacuum; our priority in Ekiti must be discharge of our duties.

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    “I’m a man who came, saw and conquered. I can’t finish all, I have done my best.

    “History will be kind on me as a man who has given his best to the people. I will remember all for your support, I bear no grudges against anyone.”

    Thanking the people of Ekiti for their support, Fayose urged them to cooperate with the incoming administration to take the state to greater heights.

    Earlier, Fayose had inaugurated the new Speaker’s Lodge named after the last occupier of the state number one legislative seat, Kola Oluwawole.

    Oluwawole was removed as Speaker on Thursday by the state lawmakers and was replaced with Adeniran Alagbada.

    Fayose urged the deposed Speaker to see his impeachment as a “price of leadership.”

    He told Oluwawole: “If I were you, in the interest of Ekiti, I will tell them to carry on. Everything works for good.”

  • Man jailed three months over illicit drugs

    A Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday sentenced one Ibrahim Taofeek to three months imprisonment over alleged possession of illicit drugs.

    Counsel from the National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) ,Mr Charles Nwagua told the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 10 at Dadinkowa village along ABUAD Road, Ado-Ekiti.

    He alleged that the defendant, on the said date,without lawful authority possessed 500 grammes of Cannabis Sativa,a Narcotic drugs similar to cocaine Heroin and LSD.

    According to him,the offence contravened Section 19 of the NDLEA Act. Cap N30, Laws of Federation of Nigeria. 2004.

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    While delivering her judgement, Justice Uche Agomoh said the counsel for the defendant had pleaded for leniency saying the defendant didn’t waste the time of the court by pleading guilty to his crime.

    “The defendant appeared very remorseful on every of his appearance in court during his trial

    ” The court therefore found you guilty and convict you accordingly ”

    You are hereby sentenced to three months imprisonment with hard labour.

    She added that this would serve the defendant a lesson and also as deterrent to others in the habit of illicit drugs.

  • Fayose not wanted in our party, says Ekiti APC

    PDP GROUP: FAYOSE SHOULD NOT TRADE OLUSOLA’S ‘MANDATE’ WITH APC

     

    Less than twenty four hours after he threatened to leave the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has said Governor Ayo Fayose is not wanted in its fold.

    The state APC Chairman, Mr. Paul Omotoso and party chairmen in all wards in Irepodun/Ifelodun local government, where the governor hails from and all wards in Ado-Ekiti, where he lives and has businesses that he is not welcomed in the party.

    The party chieftains have told the governor to forget his plans to dump PDP to join APC “until he clears himself of several criminal cases hanging on his neck.”

    The warning came on the heels of reports that Fayose had concluded plans to dump PDP following the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the PDP presidential candidate as against Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal who was supported by Fayose.

    In a statement on Tuesday by the APC Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ade Ajayi, said the party leaders advised the outgoing governor to conclude his court cases bordering on sundry alleged crimes before contemplating to join APC.

    He said: “We want to prove to the world that APC will not provide sanctuary for criminal suspects, political prostitutes and lepers. We will never admit such character to this party and we advise Fayose to play his politics of destruction somewhere else.

    “Fayose’s criminal prosecution on 2005 poultry project fraud resumes on November 4, 2018. Fayose cannot turn Ekiti APC to a haven and sanctuary for criminal suspects and we advise him to forget any plan to smear Ekiti APC with criminal records.”

    In a statement, Omotoso told Fayose that APC “is a political party bounded by common ideals of integrity, openness, discipline and commitment to common goal of progressive governance, which Fayose does not possess or believe as can be seen from his style of politics and governance”.

    Read Also: Fayose threatens to leave PDP over Atiku’s emergence

    He added: “Fayose over the years abused, disrespected and openly denigrated President Muhammadu Buhari, the leader of our party who is also the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

    “Fayose is coming to destroy our party and ensure President Buhari does not get a second term in 2019 and we won’t allow Fayose’s evil plan to materialise”.

    Omotoso vowed that on no account would Fayose be admitted into the APC.

    He advised Fayose to look elsewhere for a political party that he will destroy after destroying three national political parties when he found it difficult to control the parties.

    “Fayose said many times that he would destroy APC. He destroyed Labour Party (LP), All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) People’s Progressive
    Alliance (PPA) and at a time he also destroyed PDP before his current activities that led to the present sorry state of PDP in Ekiti State.

    “APC is looking for builders and not destroyers in its fold. We will not accept this destroyer in our great party APC and we advise Fayose
    to look elsewhere towards his promoters outside the state so that he can destroy the cohesion of the party in the backyards of those promoters.”

    He warned all ward chairmen where Fayose lives and runs his businesses against accepting him to the party.

    He added: “Our party is not a sanctuary for criminal suspects, political lepers and serial destroyers of the parties they once belonged.

    “We hereby warn ward chairmen where Fayose lives or runs his business against admitting him to our great party.

    “We hereby state clearly that no ward chairman must open talks with Fayose until such ward chairman clears with the party leadership at the state level.”

    Meanwhile, an interest group in Ekiti PDP, Bring Back our Mandate (BBOM) has warned Fayose against negotiating what it called “the mandate given to Prof Kolapo Olusola by the Ekiti electorate with the ruling APC as a soft landing following his latest threat to leave the PDP.”

    BBOM in a statement on Tuesday by its Coordinator, Gbenga Ogedengbe, said that the mandate given to Olusola by Ekiti PDP in the last governorship election in the state is not for sales and that the mandate of the people which he claimed was stolen by the APC will be retrieved at the election petition tribunal.

    The statement read: “It is important to note that Fayose’s deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka, who doubled as the PDP candidate in July 18, 2018 Ekiti governorship election is currently seeking judicial redress at the Ekiti election petition tribunal holding in Abuja over series of alleged irregularities in the conduct of the poll which returned Dr Kayode Fayemi of the APC as the governor-elect.

    “We are not unaware of Governor Ayodele Fayose romance with the APC and his several unrealistic demands with the aim of paving way for a make believe excuse that would enable him save his face while he goes by the way of Akpabio.

    “Fayose is afraid of being persecuted by APC attack dogs after leaving office. While wishing the outgoing Ekiti governor a safe trip to APC we are warning APC to avoid being fooled by Fayose as any promise to stop or frustrate the ongoing tribunal by Fayose is simply an empty promise.

    “Fayose cannot give what he doesn’t have. The process of retrieving Eleka’s mandate from APC is beyond Fayose. Fayose can’t sell or negotiate with what does not belong to him.”

  • Man remanded over alleged N.5 million fraud

    A Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Monday remanded one Sunday Oluwasina, 46, in prison custody over alleged fraud.

    Police prosecution counsel, Mr Femi Falade told the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 8 at Ado-Ekiti.

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    He said that the defendant on the said date defrauded and obtained a sum of N500, 000 from one Engr. Ajiboye Abiodun   with a false pretense.

    According to him, he committed an offence punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006.

    The prosecution said he had three witnesses to call to prove his case against the defendant.

    He urged the court to remand the defendant in prison custody, saying he had once jumped administrative bail given to him at the police
    station.

    The defendant was not represented by any counsel.

    Justice Uche Agomoh hereby ordered that the defendant be kept in the prison custody till the next adjournment Day.

    She adjourned the case to Oct. 24 for further hearing.

  • Two men remanded in prison over alleged armed robbery

    An Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded two brothers, Olowosola Abiodun, 30 and Olowosola ‎ Sunday, 35 in prison over alleged armed robbery.

    The accused of no fixed addresses are facing a charge of armed robbery.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Omolola Akosile, ordered that they should be remanded ‎and adjourned the case until Nov. 1 for mention.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Monica Ikebuilo, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 29 in Ikole-Ekiti.

    Ikebuilo alleged that the two brothers robbed Mr Taiwo Isaac of N1.3 million‎ at a filling station, Taiwo Petrol Nigeria Ltd., Ikole-Ekiti.

    Read Also: Father, Son remanded over alleged armed robbery

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 1 (3) of Robbery and Firearm Special Provision Act.

    She urged the court to remand the accused in prison pending outcome of legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    However, plea of the accused were not taken when the charge was read to them.

    NAN

     

  • Man arraigned for stealing Plasma TV, home theatre, other valuables

    A 22-year-old man, Folorunsho Victor, has been arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged buglary and stealing.

    The defendant of no fixed address is standing trial on a two-count charge of burglary and stealing.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Johnson Okunade, told the Court that the defendant and one other at large committed the offence on ‎September 17 at about 12.30 pm at Ori-Apata, Adebayo Street, in Ado-Ekiti.

    He alleged that the defendant and one other at large broke into the ‎apartment of the complainant, one Mr Opeyemi Julius.

    He also alleged that the defendant and one other at large stole plasma LG Television valued at N120,000, Home Theatre valued at‎ N120,000, one DSTV decoder valued at N9,900.

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    Other items are PS3 valued at N70,000, one Gold wristwatch valued at N60,000, one wristwatch valued at N10,000 one Gucci palm sandal valued at N15,000.

    Others are one Loius Vuitton slippers valued at N15,000 and some cash N218,000 with receipt used to sell market all belonging to the complainant.

    According to him, the offences contravened Section 413 and 383 punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

    The prosecutor asked the Court for an adjournment to enable him study the case file and assemble his witnesses.

    He informed the Court that those items stolen by the defendant were recovered from him.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty, and his counsel, Mr Olatunde Olayemi, urged the Court to grant the defendant bail, promising that he would not jump bail.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Adesoji Adegboye, in his ruling granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    He adjourned the case until October 29 for hearing.

     

  • Teenager remanded for defiling nine-year-old girl

    An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court has remanded in prison a 19-year-old, Oladosun Sodiq, for allegedly defiling a nine-year-old girl.

    The accused, according to the prosecutor, Inspector Johnson Okunade, committed the offence on September 15 in Ijero-Ekiti.

    Okunade said the offence contravenes Section 218 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

    The prosecutor urged the court to remand the accused in prison pending legal advice from the office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    The plea of the accused was not taken.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Adesoji Adegboye, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending the issuance of the legal advice.

    Adegboye adjourned the matter till October 10 for mention.

  • Strike: Residents empty ATMs in Ekiti

    Residents of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, yesterday abandoned church and besieged the various bank galleries to make withdrawals as the ongoing labour strike enters the fourth day.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were unusual long queues of customers in almost all the banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

    Most of the ATMs in the town had been emptied by 10 a.m yesterday and security men attached to the banks politely turned back customers.

    The situation was compounded by few others with little cash inside of their machines, giving messages, such as “temporarily unable to dispense cash”.

    Of the 15 bank branches in Ado-Ekiti, only four were discharging cash when NAN visited.

    One of the customers, Mr Kolawole Jinadu, said he was shocked to see such an unusual crowd, despite the fact that neither the state nor the local government areas had paid the September salary.

    Another customer, Mrs Olanike Owoade, told NAN that attention was shifted to the ATMs because of the failure of some banks to attend to customers since the strike began last Thursday.

    Owoade said she had to join the long queue, despite health challenges, because there were rumours that the banks might fully join the strike on Tuesday.

    She said this may not be unconnected with the threats by the labour movement in the state to start picketing them as from Tuesday.

    “I am here to withdraw the little balance I have in my two accounts before the money in the ATMs get exhausted. I had spent all I have on my two children, who resumed school for the new academic session on Monday.

    “But I am now in a dilemma as the children have again been turned back home as a result of the strike, which came barely three days after the children resumed for the new academic session from the long holiday,” she said.

    Some parents also regretted the early truncation of the new academic session, following the strike which came barely three days after schools in the state resumed from nine weeks’ holiday.

    Other parents urged government at all levels to address the workers’ agitation quickly to save their children’s future from being negatively affected.

     

  • Father, Son remanded over alleged armed robbery

    An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Monday remanded Chidi Christian (22) and Okoye Christian (44)‎ in prison over alleged armed robbery and possession of firearm.

    The defendants, whose addresses were unknown, are facing a two-count charge of armed robbery and possession of firearm.

    The prosecutor, Inspector Johnson Okunade, told the Court that the defendants committed the offence on September 18 in Ado-Ekiti.

    He alleged that Chidi Christian went to Ekiti State University, Female hostel and robbed some students, Olaniyi Elizabeth, Olawunmi Olajumoke, Alagbe  Oyinkansola and Oginni Oluwatoyin of their money.

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    Okunade also alleged that firearm was found in the possession of the father, Okoye Christian‎.

    He said the offences contravened Section 1 (2) (a) and (b) and Section 3 of Robbery and Firearm Special Provision Act 2004.

    The prosecutor urged the Court to remand the defendants in prison pending legal advice from office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    The pleas of the defendants were not taken.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Adesoji Adegboye, ordered the remand of the defendants pending the issuance of legal advice.

    He adjourned the case until October 3 for mention.