Fayemi’s commissioner sues Fayose, aides for alleged libel, demands N20bn damages

Ex-Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi’s Commissioner for Finance, Mr Dapo Kolawole, has filed a suit against Governor Ayodele Fayose and two of his aides for alleged libel and demanded N20 billion in damages.

Kolawole, in the suit filed on January 18, 2018, at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta Division, also sued the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of
Finance; Attorney General of the Federation, Accountant General of the Federation, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Debt Management Office.

In the suit marked FHC/ABK/CS/6/2018, Kolawole also joined the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Accountant General, Ekiti State; and Commissioner for Finance, Ekiti State.

He is praying the court to hold that the outstanding sum of N11 billion being awaited as refunds from the Federal Government on Ado-Ifaki Road should not be given to the Fayose administration as the road was constructed by the Fayemi regime.

Kolawole is also demanding damages of N10 billion each from Fayose’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka and a member of the state’s House of Assembly for alleged criminal libel and defamation on a statement they allegedly made on a television and radio programme.

He averred that the two officials had claimed during the programme that he and his boss, Dr Kayode Fayemi allegedly plunged the state into debt to the tune of N85 billion that will not be liquidated until 2036.

The case has been fixed for hearing at the court on Friday, February 23.