The
immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, finally honoured an
invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday after
losing his immunity from prosecution and arrest.
After
leading Fayose to the interrogation room, it was learnt that he was asked to
write a statement explaining how he spent N1.3bn he allegedly received from the
Office of the National Security Adviser through a former Minister of State for
Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, during the build-up to the 2014
governorship election in Ekiti State.
The
commission also asked him to return the money.
A source at
the EFCC, however, told the media that the former governor refused to
admit to collecting the money.
He said, “We
have treated Fayose with respect since he arrived in our office. We asked him
about the money he received from Obanikoro and when he would return it but he
is denying everything.
“He said in
his statement on oath that he never received any money despite the overwhelming
evidence. The man is refusing to cooperate despite the overwhelming evidence we
have.”
It was
learnt that as of 7 pm on Tuesday, the former governor was still writing his
statement.
The funds
allegedly traced to Fayose were said to be part of the N4.7bn allegedly handed
to Obanikoro by the then National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.)
While about
N1.3bn was given to Fayose, another N1.3bn was also handed over to the
governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State in 2014,
Senator Iyiola Omisore.
The funds
were said to have been transported from Lagos to Ekiti State by air.
Since the
investigation began in 2015, the EFCC has interrogated over 20 persons.
Apart from
Obanikoro and Omisore, others interrogated by the EFCC include Captain Ahmed
Borodo, the pilot whose plane was allegedly chartered by Obanikoro;
Aide-de-Camp to Obanikoro, Lt. Olumide Adewale; and Fayose’s aide, Abiodun Agbele
(who is standing trial for allegedly receiving the funds on behalf of Fayose).
Others
interrogated include bureau de change operators and senior bank executives.
“Despite the
statements made by all these people indicating that Fayose received money, the
man is still denying the allegations,” an EFCC detective said.
However,
Fayose’s lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), said Fayose would not compromise
himself in the name of administrative bail.
Ozekhome
said Fayose’s accounts had already been frozen by the commission and was
already in court over the matter.
On whether
Fayose would return the money as demanded by the EFCC, Ozekhome said, “Which
money are they saying he should return? Has he said any money is with him? They
won’t dare tell him to return the money.
“Fayose is
not like other Nigerians that the EFCC will bamboozle and force and blackmail
to make refunds. Why tell a man to refund the money he has not admitted to
receiving when the matter is in court?
“If they
offer him an administrative bail with no strings attached, which is not a Greek
gift, then he should take it.”
Earlier in
the day, before entering the EFCC premises, Fayose and scores of his supporters
had created a scene at the entrance of the commission.
Fayose, who
wore a blue shirt with the inscription, ‘EFCC, I am here’, and a blue pair of
trousers with a blue face-cap to match, arrived at the Tunde Idiagbon House,
Wuse 2, which is the former headquarters of the EFCC, around 1 pm.
The former
governor, who clutched a backpack and a small duffel bag, was accompanied by
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; a
former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; his lawyer, Chief Mike
Ozekhome (SAN), and several of his aides and supporters.
Addressing
reporters before making his way into the EFCC, Fayose said, “I am here in line
with my promise that I will be here on the October 16.
“And, as I
said to the EFCC, they should await my arrival. This morning, they have been to
my house; they cordoned off my street, which I feel was unnecessary. It was
unwarranted.
“When a man
says he is coming, Nigerians should be given benefit of the doubt.
“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.”
Also
speaking, Governor Wike said he accompanied Fayose in order to warn the EFCC to
respect his rights.
Wike added,
“He wrote a letter to the EFCC that he will submit himself on October 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.”
In his
remarks, Fani-Kayode said the EFCC should remember that their actions were
being monitored by the international community and they should not abuse
Fayose’s rights.
Ozekhome
asked the EFCC not to keep Fayose for more than 24 hours as failure to release
him would be an abuse of his rights.
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