EFCC Freezes Fayose’s Account, Governor Lambasts FG

•  Aisha Buhari accused of laundering $170,000 for jailed US congressman

Olakiitan Victor in Ado Ekiti

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen the personal account of the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, and those of his associates.

The governor’s personal account at the Zenith Bank Ekiti branch was allegedly frozen on the order of the anti-graft agency, according to a source in the bank.

Fayose, who had earlier issued a cheque to make a withdrawal but was rejected by the bank, was forced to visit the bank located at Onigari, GRA in Ado Ekiti himself, describing the action as criminal and illegal.

Citing Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, Fayose said he enjoys immunity as a sitting governor, and asked the federal government to fight corruption within the ambit of the law.

“I got wind of the fact that the EFCC had placed a restriction order on my personal account and that of my associates. I came here today and I have been able to see it. This action shows that this government has no respect for the constitution because I enjoy immunity under Section 308.

“I support government fighting corruption, but it has to be within the ambit of the law. You can investigate me, it is their right, but they have to wait till 2018, because I will be done by then. They should not be in a hurry because I will personally come to them for investigation.

“I have become a figure head in this country that I don’t have anywhere to run to. This rascality of EFCC must stop. If they like, let them investigate the whole world. Is it because they are the sitting government now that nobody can ask them questions? We will take every legal procedure to get things right.

“I am not leaving this bank until they give me a statement of account. They must put it into writing because EFCC has no right under the law to freeze my account.

“They did not communicate with me. They want to destabilise the state and we will use all legal means to make them obey the constitution. They can investigate me, but they can’t coerce me,” he said.

Fayose, who urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to see himself as a saint, alleged that the president’s wife, Aisha, was fingered in a money laundering scandal during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

“Mrs. Buhari was accused of wiring $170,000 to (William) Jefferson’s account and the man has been convicted abroad. So Buhari and APC should not see themselves as saints,” he alleged.