EFCC Seals off Fuel Station Purportedly Belonging to Fayose

• Governor refutes ownership, flays commission for lack of verification

Shola Oyeipo and Chiemelie Ezeobi

As part of its ongoing war against corruption, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it had sealed off a fuel station purportedly belonging to the Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose.

The filling station identified as ‘Chance Oil’ which is located at Lambe, Akute area of Ogun State, was said to have been sealed off by operatives of the commission for reasons yet unknown.
The action was not the first time the governor and the commission would clash, especially as it concerns sealing off of his purported properties and freezing his account.

Early this month, the commission had seized four duplexes in Victoria Island in Lagos State and another at 44 Osun Crescent, Maitama, Abuja, purportedly belonging to the governor.

While reacting to the incident, Fayose flayed the commission for always putting the cart before the horse, adding that the commission should have adequately verified its information before acting.

Fayose, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said the EFCC was acting in unbelievable manner by not adequately verifying its information before going after his boss.

He said: “It is ridiculous to say such thing about a person who has been governor for two years. How would you say Fayose has a filling station at Akute

“If he would have had a filling station, he would have had it along Lagos-Ibadan Express Way or Lekki and other highbrow areas and not Akute. Does he even have any link with Akute?
“Fayose would rather have something like NNPC mega station, which would have had at least 20 pumps. He has been a successful businessman before becoming governor.

“When I hear some of these things, I am just surprised. Last week, because Fayose used a guest house, Brilla Bicaso at Gana Street, Abuja, they wanted to lock down the place.

“The operator of the place dared them. They wanted him to provide evidence to show that he owns the place. He said they should lock the place and that he would meet them in court. He later said he is not the actual owner of the place. He leased it from Domkat Bali.

“They went there in their ‘gra gra’ manner, whereas they have access to government information. They should check with relevant authorities like the Ministry of Lands before taking actions.
“In other climes, you are supposed to have concluded investigation before you go after people. But they would want to arrest people and want them to provide evidence against themselves.

“I would not act this way if I am the EFCC chairman. It is insulting. How can you say he (Fayose) has a filling station at Akute? They should operate like people with brain. It is like vendetta mission has beclouded their sense of reasoning.”

All attempts made to reach EFCC spokesperson, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, proved abortive as his phone lines were switched off and a text message later sent to him got no reply as at press time.