Alleged graft: Fayose sets up panel to probe Fayemi, to submit report in 3 months

Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has inaugurated a judicial commission of enquiry to investigate the government of his predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, following a resolution of the state’s House of Assembly.

The panel was inaugurated on behalf of Governor Fayose by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Modupe Alade, who announced that it was in compliance with the recent resolution of the state’s House of Assembly on May 10, 2017, in which the members directed the governor to so do.

Mrs Alade said: “In compliance with the resolution of the state House and pursuant to the powers conferred on Mr. Governor in Section 2 of the Ekiti State Commission of Enquiry Cap C10, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012, His Excellency, Gov. Peter Ayodele Fayose, has set up a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to look into the financial transactions of the state between 2010 and 2014.”

According to her, the panel is to be headed by retired Justice Silas Bamidele Oyewole of the Ekiti State High Court, while, among others, the Commission has as its terms of reference, “to ascertain how much Ekiti State government received as statutory allocations during the period under review and how same were disbursed.”

The panel is also to “look into the financial transactions of Ekiti State between 2010 and 2014” and to “ascertain the amount received on behalf of the State from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).”

The panel, according to the state government, would also “investigate the allegations of fraud/loss of funds, including the diversion and conversion of the UBEC Board funds” and to “ascertain the amount that the Ekiti State Government tool as loans during the period under review and how they were utilised.”

Also, the panel is also to investigate “all other issues relating to the finances of the Ekiti State government within the period under review, and to make appropriate recommendations to the Ekiti State Government.”

Asked if setting up a probe into Fayemi’s tenure isn’t a witch-hunt, Mrs Alade, who was with the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi, said rather the action was “in strict adherence to the law of the state, incidentally signed into Law in 2012 by Fayemi himself.”

Alade said: “This is no witch-hunt because several times, the House of Assembly that is conferred with the power to look into the finances of the state, has invited former Governor John Kayode Fayemi to clarify some issues bothering on the finances of the state, such as the SUBEB funds which was mismanaged and others.”

“But despite having been invited for three times, he has refused to honour the invitation. Since he has refused to do that, the governor, acting on the directives by the state Assembly, and the powers conferred on him by the constitution, has set up this judicial commission of enquiry.”

Other members of the panel are: Mrs. Bolanle Awe, Chief Magistrate Idowu Ayenimo, Mr. Vincent Omodara from the Office of the Accountant General; Mr. Blessing Oladele representing the Labour; Mrs. Adesoba Oluremi and Mr. S.B.J. Bamise.

The state’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Gbemiga Adaramola, who doubles as the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ado Ekiti branch will serve as secretary.

It’s exercise in futility ―Fayemi

Reacting to the development, Fayemi, who is the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, said “Monday’s inauguration of a judicial commission set up by Governor Ayodele Fayose to probe the immediate past administration led by Dr Kayode Fayemi, is an exercise in futility.”

Fayemi, who reacted through Mr Yinka Oyebode, his Special Assistant on Media, said “the governor’s action is at variance with the laws of the land which makes it subjudice for anyone to entertain a matter that is already before a court of competent jurisdiction.”

He said: “Governor Fayose’s decision to go ahead with the inauguration of the panel, while two cases arising from the planned probe were still pending in court is presumptuous and ill-advised.”

“It is obvious, Governor Fayose is desperate to probe the administration of his predecessor in office, Dr kayode Fayemi, for personal vendetta. Yet, he is advised to be guided by the rule of law and decency in this wild goose chase.”

“The Governor and members of the panel are reminded that the two cases involving the House of Assembly, its leadership and top officials of the present administration are still pending In an Abuja High Court and a Federal High Court in Ado, thus making it an act of illegality for another panel to look into the matter.

“The governor is advised to concentrate on the serious task of governance and refrain from shadow chasing which the current pursuit of personal vendetta through a kangaroo committee clearly represents.”