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Tag: Ayodele Fayose

  • I leave Fayose to God, Says Fayemi 

    ….Says only EFCC, others can probe him

     

    The Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi on Monday said that he is not interested in probing his predecessor, Ayodele Fayose and that he has left him in the hands God.

    According to him, it is left for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other related bodies to carry out the probe.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, he said that he is only looking at the books.

    Read Also:Fayose’s trial: we moved N1.2b cash in three planes, says witness

    He said “Well, I am sure I have never said anything about probe; I only gave hints that I would look into the books prior to my swearing in.

    “Looking into books or account is the duty of any new governor; you need to know what you found on ground; I just talked about visitation panel into the education sector and institutions in the state.

    “There are other sectors in the state; and it will be good for me not to check what we found when we came into office and share that with the citizens of the state.

    “It is just accountability not probe. I am not EFCC; I am not ICPC; there are institutions that are charged with the responsibility to do that and it is entirely up to them if they want to probe the governor or not.

    “It is not my business; I leave the governor to God; I have said that before.’’ he added

    Fayose is being prosecuted by EFCC over 11-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering.

    Fayemi also said that his administration is taking steps that will lead to an increase in school enrollment in all parts of the state.

    According to him, the state government had since introduced free and compulsory education at the primary and secondary levels, to encourage school attendance.

    “One of the very first things we are doing to increase enrollment is to make sure that all fees and levies that were put on the primary and secondary sector are removed. We have returned free education, compulsory and qualitative education to our basic education sector,” he stated.

    He said the steps taken are aimed at restoring the state to its leading position in education in Nigeria.

    The education sector in Ekiti State, he said, has suffered some setbacks in recent time and the State government is doing its best to return the lost glory.

    The Governor however expressed regret that school enrollment has dropped and his administration is working hard to unravel the cause.

    “We do have a tradition of being the intellectual capital of this country but we seem to have lost that edge lately so we are doing what we can to reposition the sector particularly the basic and tertiary sectors.

    “On the tertiary sector we have set up visitation panels in all of the tertiary institutions, to review and  recommend what the critical and challenging issues are and how government should respond to the yearnings of this sector and in the basic education site, we are working hard to encourage enrollment into primary and secondary schools,” he said.

    He went on “We are doing all that we can to encourage more students to come into schools, so we are starting the school feeding programme in Ekiti State in order to ensure that students and kids that are not opportune to be in school are in school.

    “We are also ensuring that we pay salaries regularly because you cannot expect parents who have not received salaries and wages for 6-10 months on one hand and their children are been asked to pay education levy on the other hand to have the capacity to send such children to school and we need to make sure that education, which we see in our party as a right not a privilege should be free at least at the basic level is free,” he said

     

  • Police take over Ekiti PDP secretariat

    The Ekiti State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat was on Thursday taken over by the police following its invasion by some aggrieved members protesting alleged mismanagement of the party.

    Led by a former PDP State Secretary, Dr. Temitope Aluko, the aggrieved party men chased out the State Working Committee (SWC) members and workers and took over the secretariat.

    The members also alleged state exco of “sharing millions of Naira among themselves at a period the party was in coma and weak to make any serious impact ahead of the general elections.”

    They also accused the state exco of failing to manage crises that erupted from the last congresses and primaries in the party

    After taking over, the protesting party members locked the secretariat for over two hours before the men of the State Police Command arrived and took over the place.

    Aluko explained that they carried out the action to “save the party from extinction” and to re-position it ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Read Also: PDP plans ward-to-ward campaign

    Aluko said: “We already have some aggrieved members of the following the alleged imposition that in the last primary of the party and we are worried as we are concerned stakeholders.

    “We are here today to lock up the party secretariat, not because of anything, but because of some nefarious and fraudulent activities among our members.

    “After the exit of our leaders Dr Ayodele Fayose, we found out that the National Working Committee (NWC) has not been responsible to the issues on ground.

    “We are carrying out this action today after consultation with some of our leaders of the party and they gave us the mandate to go ahead until further directives of the party’s national leadership.”

    Reacting, PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, said Aluko was not qualified to question the integrity of the state leadership of the party “having been expelled for anti-party activities.”

    Adebayo said: “As far as I’m concerned, Tope Aluko is an expelled member of our party and he does not have moral standing and he is not qualify to query, question or throw a challenge on  how we run our party in Ekiti.”

    Police spokesman, Mr. Caleb Ikechukwu, a Deputy Superintendent, said his men took over the party secretariat temporarily to prevent breakdown of law and order following the reports the command received to that effect.

  • Court grants Fayose N50m bail, trial to begin Nov. 19

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday  granted former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose N50m bail with one surety in like sum.

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun ruled on his bail application following his arraignment on Monday for alleged money laundering.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Fayose for allegedly receiving and using N1.2billion and $5million stolen funds.

    His lawyer, former Attorney-General of the Federation Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), urged the court to grant the former governor bail on self-cognisance as a former governor.

    According to him, there was a presumption of innocence of an accused until guilt is established.

    Besides, he said the former governor was very eager to see the conclusion of the case and so would not jump bail.

    Agabi told the court that Fayose willfully submitted himself to the EFCC immediately after leaving office as governor, which shows his readiness to face the charge.

    He said: “We have before your Lordship a bail application. It is supported by a 15-paragraph affidavit and a written address in support of our motion. We urge your Lordship to grant our application.

    “We agree that bail is totally at the discretion of court and urge your Lordship to grant it. The prosecution has filed a counter affidavit but the law allows for presumption of innocence.

    “Opposition by the prosecution cannot take away the discretionary power of your Lordship.

    “The defendant reported to the EFCC the day after he left office as a governor. I urge your Lordship to grant him bail on self-cognisance.

    “I assure your Lordship that he will not jump bail; he won’t run away.”

    But, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), opposed the bail application.

    He informed the court about a counter affidavit in opposition to the bail motion, adding that although bail is a constitutional right, there were limitations.

    “The issue of presumption of innocence has to do with trial and for now, no one is saying he is guilty,” he said

    Jacobs opposed the application for bail on self-cognisance on the ground that being a former governor was not a yardstick for being granted bail on liberal terms.

    According to him, intelligence reports revealed that the defendant would interfere with witnesses and proceedings, and may jump bail if granted bail.

    He urged the court to refuse bail, adding that Fayose allegedly reported at EFCC with thugs.

    Jacobs said: “We filed a 22-paragraph counter-affidavit. We agree that bail is at the discretion of the court but the constitutional right to liberty is can be deprived.

    “Self-cognisance should not be for special people and office. If a poor man cannot be admitted to bail on self-cognisance, then it should not apply to anyone else.

    “Rather, we urge the court to order accelerated hearing.”

    Jacobs added that intelligence reports also revealed that some of the listed witnesses who served in Fayose’s administration had already expressed fear of intimidation.

    In a short ruling, Justice Olatoregun noted that the issues raised by the prosecution in its counter affidavit were grave, but that the accused would be given benefit of the doubt.

    She held: “The defendant is admitted to bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.”

    The surety, she said, must present a bond of N50 million from a reputable insurance company or a first line bank acceptable to the court.

    The judge held that the surety should produce three-year tax clearance.

    Justice Olatoregun urged Fayose to ensure he attends court for trial unfailingly, otherwise, the bond would be forfeited.

    The former governor was directed deposit his international passport in the court’s registry.

    Justice Olatoregun ordered that Fayose be remanded in EFCC’s custody in the interim.

    EFCC arraigned Fayose on an 11-count charge of violating the Money Laundering Act.

    He was charged with his company, Spotless Limited.

    EFCC said Fayose and his associate Abiodun Agbele, who is facing a different charge, allegedly took possession of N1, 219, 000, 000 on June 17, 2014 to fund the former governor’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

    The commission said Fayose “reasonably ought to have known” that the money “formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”

    The alleged offence is contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4).

    EFCC said Fayose, on the same day, received cash payment of $5million from then Minister of State for Defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through a financial institution, the sum having exceeded the amount authorised by law.

    The alleged offence, EFCC said, contravenes Sections 1 and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.

    The commission said Fayose benefitted from N4.65billion slush funds allocated by the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) during the Goodluck Jonathan Administration.

    EFCC listed Obanikoro as one of 22 witnesses that will testify in the trial.

    Fayose was also accused of retaining stolen N300million in his fixed deposit account, and allegedly deposited another stolen N317million in an belonging to Spotless Investment Limited, a company controlled by him and members of his family.

    He was also accused of acquiring several property in Lagos and Abuja, including one bought in his elder sister’s name using part of the stolen funds.

    In the last count, EFCC said Fayose, on or about January 30, 2015, did procure Still Earth Limited to retain in its account, the sum of N132.5million.

    The sum, said the prosecution, “formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity, to wit: gratification which you received from Samchase Nigeria Limited.”

    The alleged offence is contrary to Section 18 (c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3).

    Fayose pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge.

    Justice Olatoregun adjourned until November 19 for trial.

  • Fayose still in our custody, says EFCC

    Former Governor of Ekiti state, Mr Ayodele Fayose, who on Tuesday reported at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja in accordance with his promise is still being interrogated by the commission.

    Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Asked why Fayose was still detained for over 24 hours, Uwujaren said “we are still within range. We are not keeping him but interrogating him.”

    Fayose’s tenure as governor ended on Monday, and he had on Saturday, presented “Hand-over Note’’ to his successor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who was inaugurated on Tuesday.

    On arrival at EFCC office, the former governor had said “I am here in line with my promise that I will be here on the 16th of October.

    “And, like I said to EFCC, they should await my arrival. They had been to my house; they cordoned off my street which I feel personally was unnecessary. It is unwarranted.

    Read Also: Fayose reports at EFCC

    “I had led Ekiti, and the best I could give, I have given. Therefore, every question, whatever they need to ask, I will be able to respond appropriately.”

    He had in a letter to the EFCC sometime ago, said his term of office “to which I enjoy immunity against investigation and prosecution shall lapse by Monday, Oct. 15, 2018.

    “As a responsible citizen of our great country, who believes in the rule of law, I wish to inform you of my decision to make myself available in your office on Tuesday, 16th October, 2018 at 1pm.

    “It is to clarify issues or answer questions within my knowledge.’’

  • Inauguration: Fayemi unfolds four-point agenda

     …TAKES OATH OF OFFICE

     

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, was on Tuesday sworn into office with a promise to work harder and better the lives of the people.

    Fayemi promised not to disappoint the people who gave him a rare privilege of coming to office for the second time.

    Speaking shortly after the oath of allegiance and the oath of office was administered on him and the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, by the Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, Fayemi said he is not on a revenge mission.

    Fayemi who took the oath of office at about 12.25 pm said he will ensure that the payment of arrears of workers’ salaries is fully and firmly addressed as soon as possible.

    The governor said his administration will concentrate on four cardinal areas to make the difference in the life of the people.

    These include agriculture and rural development, social investment, infrastructure development and entrenching knowledge economy.

    He pleaded for the patience and understanding of Ekiti people and promised not to let them down.

    Read Also; Inauguration: Fayemi pledges to review abandoned projects in Ekiti

    The governor said he will review all documents to know the exact financial situation of the state and make findings known to the people within 100 days.

    According to him, the day signalled the “end of an era and end of an error in which Ekiti passed through wilderness in the last four years.”

    More reports coming later…

  • Fayose reports at EFCC

    Former Governor of Ekiti state, Mr Ayodele Fayose, on Tuesday reported at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja in accordance with his promise.

    Fayose arrived at the EFCC Annex in Wuse II at exactly 12.59 p.m., a minute before 1p.m. he announced that he would report at the commission.

    He was accompanied to the EFCC by Rivers Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike and former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.

    Fayose’s tenure as governor ended on Monday, and he had on Saturday, presented “Hand-over Note’’ to his successor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who was inaugurated on Tuesday.

    Speaking to newsmen on arrival at EFCC office, the former governor said “I am here in line with my promise that I will be here on the 16th of October.

    “And, like I said to EFCC, they should await my arrival. This morning they have been to my house; they cordoned off my street which I feel personally was unnecessary. It is unwarranted.

    “When a man says he is coming, Nigerians should be given benefit of the doubt.

    Read Also: I’ll report at EFCC today, says Fayose

    “I had led Ekiti, and the best I could give, I have given. Therefore, every question, whatever they need to ask today, I will be able to respond appropriately.”

    He had in a letter to the EFCC sometime ago, said his term of office “to which I enjoy immunity against investigation and prosecution shall lapse by effluxion of time on Monday, Oct. 15, 2018.

    “As a responsible citizen of our great country, who believes in the rule of law, I wish to inform you of my decision to make myself available in your office on Tuesday, 16th October, 2018 at 1pm.

    “It is to clarify issues or answer questions within my knowledge.’’

    Also speaking to journalists and Fayose was received by EFCC officials, Wike said “he wrote a letter to EFCC that he will submit himself on Oct. 16.

    “He is hale and hearty and I believe that EFCC should know he is well. Our fear from the present report that we have is that he may be harmed.

    “But, let Nigerians know that he came by himself to the EFCC without anybody harassing him.

    “So that is why I brought him here today.”

    On his part, Fani-Kayode said “we are here to stand in solidarity with our friend and brother.

    “He is going in hale and hearty; we trust God and we believe he will come out the same way.

    “And, as authority, we take note to the fact that the international community and the whole world is watching what is going to happen here; what they are going to do to him.”

    Fayose wore a T-shirt with inscription: “EFCC, I Am Here”. He clutched a small hand bag as he was led into the commission.

     

  • EFCC operatives trail Fayose

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC) operatives are already trailing Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose to prevent his alleged escape bid.

    Barely 24 hours to Fayose’s exit, the anti-graft agency’s operatives were yesterday at Akure airport, when the governor and his wife boarded a flight to Abuja.

    Another set of operatives closed up on the governor immediately he landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The governor was also placed on surveillance as at the time of filing this report.

    Already, three probe teams have been raised by EFCC on the issues against the governor, including a group on his pending trial, a panel on N4.685 billion National Security Adviser (ONSA) fraud; and the last team is working on alleged infractions during his second term in office.

    According to findings, the EFCC may meet with the incoming governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on some records, which the Ekiti State Government had withheld over the years.

    But from preliminary findings, Fayose is likely to face trial in Ado-Ekiti, Ibadan, Lagos and Akure.

    A top source in EFCC, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have mounted surveillance on Fayose in the last 72 hours and we are trailing him in order to keep his words to appear before our teams of investigators.

    “We have tracked his movement from Akure Airport to Abuja, where he came to attend a send-forth dinner. We will keep tab on him until he reports to EFCC on October 16. Otherwise, we will effect his arrest.

    “There are three teams handling the allegations against the governor. There is a special team managing his suspended trial because he had immunity as a governor. We will resume his trial.

    “Another team of detectives is in charge of N4.685 billion fraud in the Office of National Security Adviser( ONSA) in which Fayose was implicated. All we need to do is to take the statement of Fayose and arraign him in court.

    “The third team takes charge of alleged infractions he committed in office during his second term. The Ekiti State Government has withheld some vital records in the last three years. We will meet with the incoming governor on these documents.

    “The governor may face trial in some courts in Ado Ekiti, Ibadan, Lagos and Akure. If he comes around, he will be our first guest at the new EFCC complex.”

    In his September 10, 2018 letter, Fayose said he was prepared to appear for interrogation on October 16.

    The letter said:  “Several and serial actions of your commission for some time now, including but not limited to freezing of my accounts and attempts to secure temporary forfeiture of my properties, are indicative of the commission’s desire to have me clarify some issues or answer some questions but for the immunity that I enjoy under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution as sitting governor of Ekiti State.

    “I wish to inform you that my term of office pursuant to which I enjoy immunity against investigation and prosecution under the above provision shall lapse by effusion of time on Monday, October 15, 2018.

    “As a responsible citizen of our great country, who believes in the rule of law, I wish to inform you of my decision to make myself available in your office on Tuesday, 16th October, 2018 at 1pm to clarify issues or answer questions on issues within my knowledge.

    “Kindly confirm the suitability of the above date or indicate by return, the commission’s convenient date.”

    Although the EFCC’s September 13 letter to Fayose, written by the Director of Operations, Umar Mohammed, asked him to report on September 20, he stuck to the October 16 date.

  • Twelve years after, family seeks justice for murder of Daramola

    12 years after the murder of the late World Bank consultant, Dr Ayodeji Daramola, his family has requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris to arrest and prosecute the outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose for the murder of their son.

    In their petition dated October 13, signed on behalf of the family by Dare Daramola and sent to the IGP in Abuja, the family  demanded for justice for their son.

    “We demand nothing but justice in the murder of our illustrious son since he, Fayose, will soon lose  his immunity and since the matter is still in court as filed by Fayose himself for justice in these murders, we call on the IGP to arrest Fayose immediately as one of the prime suspects in the murders as ruled by the Appeal Court and Supreme Court to face trial over Ekiti murder cases involving Dr Daramola and Omojola”, they said.

    Dr. Daramola was assassinated on August 14, 2006 in his Ijan-Ekiti country home over  threat allegedly by Fayose to prevent the deceased from contesting the governorship election in Ekiti State under the banner of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    The family alleged that Governor Fayose “consistently harassed and threatened the late Daramola with assailants, including forcing the deceased to renounce his governorship ambition on radio for several days, because the then Governor Fayose saw the late Daramola as a threat to his second term ambition after PDP leaders, including  former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had endorsed the late Daramola to succeed Fayose in the 2007 election.”

    Daramola’s murder, the family said, came barely three months after Omojola was murdered by the same suspects who were the same Fayose’s agents in his administration that allegedly killed Daramola.

    The family alleged that assailants linked to Fayose consistently threatened their son’s life and finally invaded his home at night at Ijan-Ekiti on August 14, 2006 and killed him despite having renounced  his governorship ambition as ordered.

    The family said  the suspects arrested named Fayose’s  personal aides, Dayo Okondo and Goke Olatunji, as the sponsors of the murder.

    According to the family, “Ekiti State Government led by Asiwaju Segun Oni arraigned the suspects in court in 2007 but the chains of political crises in the state stalled the prosecution of the suspects.

    “Upon assumption of office by Governor Fayose for second term, the case was listed for trial in 2016 and it was struck out by the Ekiti State High Court, Ado-Ekiti, in a secret trial that was kept away from members of Daramola and Tunde Omojola’s families, the latter being a victim of murder by Fayose’s agents also.

    “But having realised that striking out the case would not stop future trial, Fayose in  cahoots with some lawyers sought the relisting of both Daramola and Omojola’s cases for a fresh joint hearing for dismissal in secret trial.

    “It was at the point of re-listing the case for fresh joint trial for dismissal that good Samaritans among the legal officers in the State High Court alerted Daramola’s family and leaked the secret trial plot  masterminded by Fayose to the public, including journalists, who published the story.

    “So far, three judges of the Ekiti State High Court had withdrawn from handling the cases after media reported underhand deals to secretly conduct the trial to free the suspects without putting our family members  on notice”, they alleged.

    Daramola’s family alleged that at one point during the secret trial, “the prosecution led by Fayose procured fake witnesses to represent the victims to plead in court that the  suspects knew nothing about the murder. But again, the plot leaked to the media and the trial judge subsequently withdrew from the case.

    “Earlier, Ekiti State Government headed by Fayose had in an affidavit by one Kunle Adetowubo & Co, dated June 28, 2016 in charge No HAD/2c/ 2007 in the Motion on Notice No HAD/71cm/2016 between the State Government and complainants brought pursuant to Section 56 of the Ekiti State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2014 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court, listed the parties to the suit as the state government, listed as the plaintiff/prosecutor while defendants are Dayo Okondo, Olatunji Adegoke, T.A Aina and Samuel K. Dada, all Fayose’s known supporters that allegedly  killed Omojola in Ifaki-Ekiti and  Daramola  over plan to contest Ekiti State governorship election with Governor Fayose.”, they explained.

    The family  recalled that on May 25, 2005, Mr. Tunde Omojola, a Nigerian based in Holland was brutally killed at Ifaki Ekiti during a local government bye-election.

    “After a thorough investigation of the tragic incident, Mr. Fayose’s lieutenants – Captain Dayo Okondo (rtd) and Mr. Goke Olatunji were charged with conspiracy and murder of Tunde Omojola. When Mr. Ayo Fayose came out of hiding in December 2007, he was also charged with the murder of Tunde Omojola at the High Court. Consequently, the trial court issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Fayose on December 4, 2007 for murder.

    In a bid to stop his trial, the family said Fayose challenged the warrant for his arrest at the Court of Appeal but lost the appeal.

    “In a judgment delivered on December 9, 2010 at Ilorin, Kwara State, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and affirmed the order for the arrest of Mr. Fayose to face murder trial. In the lead judgment of the Court of Appeal read by Justice Abba-Aji, the honourable Justice said: “In the circumstances of this case, I am of the humble view that the learned trial judge exercised his discretion judicially and judiciously in granting the issuance of conditional warrant of arrest against the appellant. The said order is not made in vacuum. The issues are therefore resolved against the Appellant. I therefore find no merit in the appeal. It is accordingly dismissed. The ruling of the trial court delivered on the 12th December, 2007 directing the arrest of the Appellant is hereby affirmed.” See Ayo Fayose v. The State (2011) 10 WRN 132.”

    They further said that the Supreme Court also dismissed Fayose’s appeal challenging the Appeal Court’s judgment.

    The petition said  Fayose, on assumption of ofice in 2014 as governor,  re-opened Daramola and Omojola’s murder cases in a joint trial conducted secretly to free the suspects but the media, particularly the online media, leaked the plot.

    The petition said a publication by online media frustrated Fayose’s plot to manipulate these murder trials at the time he (Fayose) himself enjoyed immunity from prosecution.

    The family maintained that Fayose is liable to prosecution as ruled by both the Appeal Court and Supreme Court judgments, which insisted that he, Fayose, had a case to answer in the assassination of political opponent, Omojola, in Ifaki-Ekiti; which is part of the consolidated murder trial of both Daramola and Omojola as filed by the prosecution led by the state government.

    They also pointed out that the High Court where Fayose was arraigned for murder ordered Fayose’s arrest after dismissing his stay of arrest suit.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has promised justice for all Nigerians, including re-opening high-profile murder cases, to enable victims get justice.

    “We demand justice for our brutally murdered illustrious son and we will appreciate a quick response to our plea immediately Fayose loses immunity on October 16, 2018”, the petition stated.

  • Fayose must account for over N100b loans – CNPP

    The Ekiti State Chapter of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has urged the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to launch a probe into how Governor Ayo Fayose managed the state treasury throughout his four-year tenure.

    The umbrella body of registered political parties insisted that Fayose must be made to account for over N100 billion loans and various financial lifelines received from the Federal Government.

    The group maintained that the development on ground in Ekiti State did not justify the inflow of cash into the state coffers the Fayose administration saying “the people of the state have become poorer under the outgoing regime.

    The CNPP claimed that Fayose was not accountable to the people of the state and principles of probity and transparency were relegated to the background hence the need to probe his handling of the state funds.

    In a statement on Thursday by its Publicity Secretary, Deacon Olu Akomolafe, the Ekiti CNPP urged Fayemi to bring to justice everybody involved in the alleged mismanagement of state resources in the last four years.

    Akomolafe suggested that looking into records of all transactions done and ascertaining the level of both domestic and foreign loans by Fayose with a view to setting the records straight for the people to know the true position of things should be the immediate priority of Fayemi.

    He said: “It is regrettable that, what has happened under Fayose’s administration could only be best described as an aberration and taboo of a road side trading where anything goes due to lack of law and regulation in an uncivillised society.

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    “Various financial reliefs including Budget Support Fund, Paris Club loans, statutory allocations and bailout cash collected by Fayose were reportedly to have been diverted by him to personal use at the expense of hapless civil servants and Ekiti masses.

    “It is on records that, Mr. Fayose in the last four years through family and cronies have executed and still executing not less than forty personal projects across various locations in Ado Ekiti alone,whereas the number of projects executed on behalf of Ekiti government by Fayose are said to be lesser than that in reality.

    “Therefore, the onus is on the new administration in the state to ensure everything is done within the law to bring to book, everybody involved in the mismanagement of the state resources.

    “It is to say the least that, Ekiti state is in the need of overhauling and remodeling both in image and economy to fast-track a real development against what had been witnessed under Fayose’s regime in the last four years.

    “The development was not to witch-hunt anybody but rather to ascertain the economic status of the state in order to allow the new administration to know where to kick-start its development strides for the people.”

    The CNPP however enjoined Dr. Fayemi to revisit some of laudable policies and programmes embarked upon during his first term to include; stipends for aged Citizens, Volunteer scheme and youths in Agriculture among others aimed to banish poverty in the state.

  • Fayose sues EFCC for N20b over security watch list

    Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has made good his threat to drag the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to court for placing him on watch list.

    The anti-graft agency wrote an advisory to key security agencies demanding that Fayose be arrested if he attempts to flee the country through land, sea and air borders to escape justice.

    Fayose had on September 3 threatened to sue the EFCC if it fails to withdraw the advisory within 72 hours saying the action “not only breached his constitutional immunity, it also exposed him to public opium and ridicule.”

    He also demanded the publication of a written apology to all Security Agencies in Nigeria, three national newspapers and the social media.

    It was gathered on Tuesday that Fayose, through his counsel, Mr. Obafemi Adewale, filed the suit last Friday consequent upon the failure of the EFCC to meet the governor’s demands.

    It should be recalled that EFCC had tweeted on July 16, 2018 through its official twitter handle @officialEFCC concerning Fayose that “The parri is over, the cloak of immunity is torn apart and the staff broken, Ekiti Integrated Poultry/Biological Concepts Limited N1.3bn fraud case file dusted off the shelves. See you soon.”

    In the suit marked FJC/ABJ/CS/1087/2018, Fayose is seeking among other things; an order of the Court mandating the EFCC to pay the sum of N20 billion as general damages to the for what he called “flagrant, deliberate, pre-meditated and reckless libel and unprovoked attack on his character and reputation and the breach of his constitutional right/immunity as an incumbent Governor.”

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    He demanded that the EFCC should tender a written apology, which should be circulated to all Security Agencies in Nigeria and same should be published in at least three widely read National Newspapers and through the social media.

    The governor is also seeking a declaration that the statements contained in the EFCC letter dated September 12, 2018, and addressed to all Security Agencies in Nigeria portrayed him as a criminal, a fugitive and a run-away from the law, and that the statements are not true, are malicious, are not fair statements.

    He wants the court to further declare; “that the EFCC letter placing him on watch-list anddirecting his arrest on sight even while a sitting Governor is unconstitutional as same offends the clear provision of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which clothes the him with immunity against arrest and prosecution as an incumbent Governor.”

    “That the tweet by the Defendant (EFCC) through its official twitter handle, which was widely circulated through social media and published on Punch Newspaper (online) of 16th July, 2018, with the particulars wordings pleaded in the Statement of Claim filed along with this Writ
    is not true, is malicious, is not a fair statement and presents the Plaintiff as a fraudster thereby ridiculing him and reducing him in the eyes of reasonable and right-thinking members of the society.”