The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, over alleged contract fraud.
The anti-graft agency wants Fayose to explain his role in the alleged receipt of N1.2 billion from a former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, through a former minister of state for defence, Musiliu Obanikoro.
The money was allegedly given to him in the buildup to the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State. Fayose’s aide, Abiodun Agbele, and others had already been arraigned by the EFCC, while Fayose’s immunity from prosecution lasted.
Fayose who arrived the premises of the EFCC, in a pair of jeans trousers and a blue T-shirt with the bold inscription, ‘EFCC I’M HERE!’
He slung a complementary blue bag across his shoulder, supposedly containing his personal effects, told reporters: “I am here, in line with my promise that I will be here on the 16th of October,
Fayose was accompanied by Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, a former minister of aviation, Femi Fani Kayode, human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, and a legal team led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozhekome.
Earlier, he tweeted: “In few minutes, I will be at the EFCC Old Office, Wuse 2, Abuja. I’m a man who stands by his words and I hope that after today, those President Buhari’s men that have been accused of corruption will also be bold enough to submit themselves to the EFCC.”
While the scene played out, a group of placard-carrying women, who identified themselves as Widows of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stormed the premises, saying the former governor must not be detained.
But while Fayose walked into a world of investigations, in Ekiti State, thousands of excited residents walked into the main bowl of the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion to witness the swearing-in of his successor, former minster of mines and steel development, Kayode Fayemi.
Clad in a white agbada and a brown cap, the new governor took the oath of office administered by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, promising the dawn of a new era.
“Never again will Ekiti slip into the hands of those who knew nothing about governance. Never again shall we allow our school children to pay taxes.
Never again shall we abandon the burgeoning resources at Ikogosi Warm Spring to waste.
Never again shall we allow our judiciary to be debased by a draconian government.
And never again shall the most educated state, like Ekiti, be apostle of stomach infrastructure that has made us a laughing stock,” Fayemi declared.
He also revealed that all the finances of the Fayose administration would be reviewed in a non-vindictive appraisal.
He regretted that the state was burdened with a N170 billion loan debt acquired by the last administration.
This challenge, he however added, would not stop his government from delivering the dividends of democracy.
Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mustapha Boss, noted: “We are confident that Fayemi will help cover the lost grounds brought by the past administration.
From today, you will begin to have a new breath in Ekiti under the present government.”
