Alleged scam: Gov. Fayose gives released commissioners, AG brand new cars (Details, pics)

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Sunday fulfilled his promise to reward the recently released Finance Commissioner, Toyin Ojo, and the state Accountant General, Mrs. Yemisi Owolabi, with new cars.

The governor handed over the keys to new Kia Rio cars shortly after a thanksgiving service to mark his third anniversary in office at the Government House.

The officials were released on Wednesday after spending 14 days in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. They were quizzed for alleged mismanagement of state funds.

Fayose said the duo deserved to be so rewarded for “enduring maltreatment, harassment, intimidation and oppression from the EFCC.”

Alleging that the arrest of the officials was illegal because only the state’s House of Assembly could raise questions about the Ekiti financial status, he added that the state government would sue the EFCC for acting beyond its powers.

“The constitution of Nigeria does not empower the EFCC to arrest state officials over alleged graft. That function belongs to our state House of Assembly. We will sue  the EFCC for this illegality, pursue the case to a logical conclusion and get damages for this ill-treatment.

The constitution of Nigeria is supreme and has overriding influence over any government parastatal such as the EFCC.”

Fayose reiterated that his government would conclude ongoing projects and pay outstanding salaries of workers.

While inaugurating the fountain at the new Ikere-Ekiti roundabout, the governor commented on the choice of his deputy, Olusola Kolapo, as the governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2018 election