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N20bn bailout fund: Make your findings public, Kogi tells EFCC

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Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State
Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello
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The Kogi  Government has dared the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to make public,  report of its investigations on the purported N20 billion bailout fund fraud.

The EFCC in August,  alleged that the N19.3 billion Kogi bailout fund domiciled in Sterling Bank, had been partly misappropriated and the state account frozen on orders of a Lagos High Court.

The News Agency of Njgeria (NAN) recalls that the EFCC  on Friday, withdrew its suit, seeking  forfeiture of  the N20 billion bailout fund.

However, Kogi government  had  kicked against the withdrawal by the EFCC,  charging the anti-graft body to make its findings on the fund public.

In a statement, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the state government said  the EFCC despite the withdrawal, should be able to provide  facts of  its investigations.

He also urged Nigerians to ask the EFCC in whose custody it found a part of the bailout fund said to have been dissipated.

Fanwo insisted that the alleged sum of N19.3 billion which Sterling Bank had undertaken to the EFCC to transfer to the Central Bank of Nigeria,  does not belong to the Kogi  government, and that the state did not enter into any agreement, either with Sterling Bank or the EFCC, to return any bailout fund to the CBN as being portrayed.

“It is our belief that the  withdrawal of the suit by the EFCC without informing the Court of the facts,  is a deliberate and face-saving effort by the commission,    all in a bid to ‘nail’ at all cost, the Kogi government and tarnish its image,” Fanwo said.

He said  the EFCC violated an earlier order of the court, as it failed to report its findings to the court, rather it unceremoniously withdrew the suit, without facts of its investigation   to the court and the public.

According to him, residents of Kogi  and indeed Nigerians at large,  should rather ask the EFCC to publish on its official platforms,  the report of its investigation as to the ownership of the said sum of N19,333,333,333.36,  and the whereabouts of the sum of N666,666,666.64, which they alleged had been dissipated.

The commissioner further said: “Nigerians should further ask the EFCC whether a commercial bank can  simply undertake to transfer a customer’s money from the customers’ account without the order of any court mandating such transfer or a forfeiture?

“Nigerians also deserve to know what becomes of the criminal allegation that the EFCC made,  when it informed the Federal High Court that the sum of N666,666,666.64  out of the N20 billion bailout loan had been dissipated and that same was being traced.

”Nigerians will  want to know if the EFCC has found the money, if so, in whose custody was it found? Have charges been preferred against the custodian of the said funds.

”Or has the EFCC also abandoned that chase? Nigerians deserve to know the truth.

“We have as of October 2019,  fully disbursed our bailout funds and are already religiously repaying the loan to Sterling Bank Plc,” he  clarified.

The government spokesman said that  concealing these inalienable facts of the matter would be  misleading and unethical.

“Finally, while we reserve all our legal rights against the EFCC, we reiterate our demand for an unreserved apology from the EFCC as contained in our letter to the Chairman of the EFCC on  Sept. 6.

“We hope the EFCC will honour the said demand to regain the trust of Nigerians,” Fanwo said.

He disclosed that the Kogi  government had, as revealed in freshly published documents, sought further clarifications from Sterling Bank to drive home its innocence in the matter.

The commissioner said:  “Buoyed by the strength of our innocence, the Kogi  government on Oct. 4, wrote to Sterling Bank, seeking further clarifications on the contentious account. The Bank did not only reinforce their earlier stance that the account is a Mirror Account; it also made it unequivocally clear that the Kogi  government has nothing to do with the opening or operation of the account.

“All of these facts are in their reply received by the Kogi  government on Oct. 5.

‘”The state government again urges  the  commission to tender public apology to it  and refrain from  measures that can  further damage the image of the nation,”  Fanwo said. (NAN)

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Ekiti Has Spoken Loudly Through the Ballot, Says Ayodeji Ajayi

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A former member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and current Board Member of the Ekiti State Waste Management Authority (EKSWAMA), Hon. Ayodeji Ajayi, has congratulated Governor Biodun Oyebanji on his re-election as Governor of Ekiti State.

 

 

Ajayi, who represented Ise/Orun Constituency in the State Assembly, described Governor Oyebanji’s victory in the just-concluded governorship election as a clear demonstration of the confidence and trust reposed in him by the people of the state.

 

 

In his congratulatory message, the former lawmaker said the governor’s victory was a reflection of the administration’s commitment to good governance, inclusive leadership and sustainable development across the state.

 

 

According to him, the outcome of the election signifies the appreciation of Ekiti people for the numerous developmental projects and people-oriented policies implemented by the Oyebanji administration since assuming office.

 

 

He noted that Governor Oyebanji has distinguished himself through prudent management of resources, improved infrastructure, support for workers and pensioners, as well as deliberate efforts to enhance economic growth and social welfare in the state.

 

 

Ajayi, commended the people of Ekiti State for their peaceful conduct throughout the electoral process, describing the election as a triumph of democracy and the collective will of the electorate.

 

 

The EKSWAMA board member also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other stakeholders for ensuring a credible and transparent electoral process.

 

 

He expressed confidence that the governor’s second term would bring about greater development, accelerated economic growth and improved living standards for residents across the state.

 

 

“Your re-election is a testament to your exemplary leadership, dedication to service and unwavering commitment to the progress of Ekiti State.

 

The people have spoken through their votes and renewed their mandate because of the remarkable achievements recorded under your administration,” Ajayi stated.

 

 

He urged residents of the state to remain united and continue to support the governor in his efforts to build a more prosperous and inclusive Ekiti.

 

 

Ajayi, further called on political actors to put aside partisan differences and work together with the government in the interest of the state’s development, stressing that the election was over and that the focus should now be on delivering greater dividends of democracy to the people.

 

 

He prayed for divine wisdom, strength and guidance for Governor Oyebanji as he begins another term in office, expressing optimism that the administration would consolidate on its achievements and take Ekiti State to greater heights.

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OYEBANJI MOURNS DEATH OF APC CHIEFTAIN, SENATOR ADENIYI

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Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has mourned the death of a renowned lawyer and frontline leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Anthony Ademiyiwa Adeniyi (SAN).

 

The late Senator Adeniyi, who represented Ekiti South Senatorial District in the Senate between 2011 and 2015, passed on Wednesday. He was aged 75 years.

 

Governor Oyebanji, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, described the death of the late Senator as a huge a loss to Ekiti State, and Nigeria as a whole, as well as the legal profession and the APC family.

 

According to the Governor, the story of the restoration of the mandate of the progressives in Ekiti State, which culminated in the swearing-in of former Governor Kayode Fayemi in 2010 would not be complete without a generous mention of the legal expertise of the late Senator Adeniyi.

 

Governor Oyebanji said the late senior lawyer gave a vibrant and result-oriented representation to the people of Ekiti South Senatorial District during his tenure as a Senator in which he championed issues relating to constitutional reforms, electoral reforms, independence of the judiciary, better services by telecoms service providers and attraction of investment into the nation’s economy.

 

Describing the late Senator Adeniyi as a consummate Bar leader, the Governor hailed the deceased for being a faithful officer in the temple of Justice with roles as Chairman of the Akure Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) between 1990 and 1992 and a National Executive Committee member of the association for many years.

 

He also hailed the tenure of the late Senator Adeniyi as the Chairman of the Board of the defunct Omega Bank during which the bank grew in capital base, expansion and corporate services to the banking public in Nigeria.

 

The Governor said the Ikere Ekiti-born legal luminary will be remembered for the worthy legacies he left behind and his selfless service for a greater Ekiti and a more prosperous Nigeria during his national service.

 

“The death of Senator Adeniyi is a huge loss to Ekiti and Nigeria as a whole. We lost a decent politician, a distinguished senior advocate of Nigeria and an illustrious son of the Land of Honour.

 

“While we pray that the Lord grant him eternal rest, I encourage his children and members of his family to be comforted with the fact, the late Adeniyi lived a fulfilled life of service and leafy behind a good name and legacies that outlive him. May God grant him eternal rest”, the Governor added.

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Ado West LCDA Chairman Congratulates Oyebanji on Re-election Victory

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The Chairman of Ado West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Adebolu Aladesanmi, has congratulated Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, on his victory in the recently concluded governorship election.

 

In a congratulatory message, Aladesanmi described the governor’s re-election as a clear demonstration of the confidence and trust the people of Ekiti State have in his leadership, vision, and commitment to the development of the state.

 

The council chairman noted that Governor Oyebanji’s first term in office had been marked by significant achievements across critical sectors, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic development, adding that the electoral victory was a reward for his administration’s people-oriented policies and impactful governance.

 

According to him, the governor’s second-term mandate presents another opportunity to consolidate on the gains already recorded and further accelerate the pace of development across the state.

 

Hon. Aladesanmi expressed optimism that the renewed mandate would translate into greater progress and improved welfare for residents of Ekiti State, stressing that Ado West LCDA remains committed to supporting the governor’s developmental agenda.

 

“On behalf of the government and good people of Ado West LCDA, I celebrate this well-deserved victory. We look forward to sustained collaboration that will advance the welfare of our people as he prepares for the next term,” he stated.

 

The chairman also prayed for divine wisdom, strength, and good health for Governor Oyebanji as he prepares to commence a second term in office, expressing confidence that the administration would continue to deliver democratic dividends to the people of the state.

 

He urged residents to remain supportive of the governor’s administration and work together to ensure continued peace, unity, and development in Ekiti State.

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