Leave Fayose to face governance, Ekiti NASS members tell FG
(Nigeria) Members of the National Assembly caucus in both
the Senate and House of Representatives from Ekiti State have told the Federal Government
to stop harassing the state governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose with Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and face governance, especially the dwindling
economy and insecurity in the country.
The caucus, which condemned the freezing of the bank
accounts of the governor and harassment of members of the state House of
Assembly, maintained that it was absolutely illegal, and an affront on the constitution
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for bank accounts of any Nigerian to be
blocked by the EFCC without court order not to talk of a sitting governor that
enjoyed absolute immunity.
In a statement on Thursday by the caucus and signed by the
Senate Deputy Whip, Senator Biodun Olujimi, they observed that it was becoming
worrisome that democracy was being endangered by the persistent harassment of
opposition figures by the All Progressives Congress, APC led Federal Government.
They said; “It is trite that the condition precedent to be
fulfilled by the EFCC to fully exercise its powers as enshrined in section
34(1) of the EFCC Act, with effect to the freezing order on banks and other financial
Institutions was not met. Ditto for the fact that for the court to make such an
order, there must be papers (court process) filed in court and signed by a
Judge.
“By the provision of section 308(1) (a) of the 1999
constitution (as amended), no suit can be instituted against any sitting
Governor in any court in Nigeria. Therefore, no process of the court can be issued,
signed or served against Mr. Ayodele
Fayose, being a sitting Governor. Knowing fully well that the import of
section 308 of the
1999 constitution (as amended), is principally to avert
unnecessary distraction of any sitting governor and other beneficiaries of that
section.
“As much as we are not against the anti-corruption crusade
of the government or the investigation of corruption persons by the EFCC, we urge
the anti-corruption agency to carry out its functions without political
interference from any quarters, while the Federal government on its part, must
eschew all actions capable of destabilizing the
peace of any state, or threaten our nascent democracy.”
The National Assembly caucus, which declared support for the
governor, said; “We remain resolute in our support for our governor, Ayodele Fayose
and we are confident that he is not a man that can be intimidated by anyone.
“His concern is the sustenance of rule of law and good governance
and he will never shy away from raising his voice in support of the masses.”
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