Ekiti Assembly threatens to sue EFCC over Fayemi’s alleged N40bn fraud

Ekiti State House of Assembly has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to within 21 days begin investigation into allegations that former governor of the state and current Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi committed a N40billion fraud.

Failure to do this, the lawmakers said, would make them commence legal action.

The Assembly is unhappy that after its initial letter to the anti-graft agency on October 27, 2016, on Fayemi’s alleged involvement in corruption, the commission was yet to begin investigating the minister, even as it accused the EFCC of compromise.

The Assembly, therefore, said in its letter of reminder to the commission that if the EFCC should “fail, refuse and or neglect to act on this petition within 21 days of receipt of this letter of reminder; we shall have no option than to institute legal action against you.

“Consequently, we shall be asking for an order of mandamus compelling you to perform your duties according to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the EFCC Act 2004.”

The October 27 petition the Assembly submitted to the EFCC office was dated October 24, 2016 and signed by the Speaker, Pastor Kolawole Oluwawole.

Ekiti State House Assembly members in the petition complained among other things, of alleged fraudulent practices of Dr. Fayemi, Mr Dapo Kolawole, Mr Yemi Adaramodu, Mr Abiodun Oyebanji, Arc Oyelade (CASA Nig Ltd), Mr Bayo Kelekun and others.

It frowned that over three months since the petition was submitted with relevant documents, the EFCC was yet to act on it.

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In its reminder letter signed by the Speaker and submitted by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Segun Adewumi and chairman of the House Committee on Information, Dr Samuel Omotoso, the Assembly wrote, “We write to remind you of our petition dated 24th October 2016, which was submitted and duly received in your office on 27th October 2016.

“Three months after the petition was submitted, you have refused, and or neglected to act on it. However, should you fail, refuse and or neglect to act on this petition within 21 days of receipt of this letter of reminder; we shall have no option than to institute legal action against you.

“Consequently, we shall be asking for an order of mandamus compelling you to perform your duties according to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the EFCC Act 2004.”

A number of cabinet members of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government and several members of the ruling party have been accused of involvement in corruption.

However, the EFCC is yet to take action concerning the allegations.

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