The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has blocked the account of Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, operates with Zenith Bank Plc.
An EFCC source confirmed the development to Premium Times.
The governor, who spoke to reporters in Ado-Ekiti on Monday at the premises of the bank, said he had information that the accounts of some of his associates were also affected.
According to a press release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Idowu Adelusi, the governor accused some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a prominent lawyer from the state of being the brains behind the action.
While condemning the action, Mr. Fayose said under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, especially the provisions contained in Section 308, he enjoyed immunity and wondered why his personal properties should become the targets of the Federal Government and its agencies under the guise of fighting corruption.
“Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution gives me immunity just like the President. I wouldn’t know why these people are intolerant of others and in a haste. Let them wait till 2018 when I will end my tenure for them to do their investigation. The other time the EFCC accused me of embezzling N1.2 billion poultry project fund, I was the one who voluntarily reported myself to the EFCC.
“It was when I got a hint of their move that I wrote a cheque to withdraw some money from the account and I came myself. I was denied access to the account as I was told the EFCC has placed restriction on it. That is executive rascality taken too far. Even when I had case with EFCC my properties were not affected.
“If they say they are investigating money spent on election, does it mean it is only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that spent money on election? A lot of people and groups supported my campaign then. Where did APC and their leaders get the money they spent on 2015 general elections from? Now it is only in PDP that they find thieves, to them there are no thieves in the APC.
“A lot of petitions were written against former Governor Kayode Fayemi and the EFCC has not asked him a question up till now. The diversion of N850 million fund meant for Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board is there and nobody is asking Fayemi questions.
“Even the President cannot claim to be an angel. The estate he built in Abuja is known to us. His wife was indicted over the Halliburton Scandal. When that American, Jefferson, was being sentenced, the President’s wife was mentioned as having wired $170,000 to Jefferson. Her name was on page 25 of the sentencing of Jefferson. We can
serialize the judgment for people to see and read.
“We will not allow this and we will defend our rights within the law of the land.
“Those who think they can silence me are mistaken. I am a person who is not perturbed by things like this. Let them wait till 2018 when I will finish my term and I will be the one to go and meet them. I won’t run away and let them investigate the whole world, I have nothing to hide or fear,” he said.
Mr. Fayose said he would challenge the action appropriately.
The spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, declined to comment for this story, saying he had not been briefed on the matter.
A senior official of the commission however confirmed the development to Premium Times.
“It is true that his account has been restricted,” the official said, asking not to be named because he had no permission to speak for the commission. “Governors have no immunity from investigations. We are investigating him and so, his accounts can be blocked.”
