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 the
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 release issued 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 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.”
