The bank account of the Ekiti state Governor,Ayo Fayose has been placed under restriction by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), reports say.
Daily Trust reports that Fayose tried to withdraw money from a Zenith bank branch in Ekiti state, with his cheque, but was not paid.
An insider who spoke under anonymity said the Governor’s personal bank account was blocked on the orders of the EFCC.
The EFCC recently revealed that the freezing of accounts of those being investigated for financial crimes is lawful.
The spokesman of the anti-graft agency, Wilson Uwujaren said “Indeed, Section 34 (1) of the EFCC Act 2004 empowers the commission to freeze any account suspected of being used for financial crimes.”
Fayose, while reacting to the incident, described the action of the anti-graft agency as criminal and illegal.
He also cited Section 308 of the 1999 constitution, saying he has immunity as a sitting Governor.
Fayose also called on President Buhari to remember that he is not a saint, adding that the first lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari was implicated in the Halliburton scandal.
He said “Mrs Buhari was accused of wiring $170,000 to Jefferson’s account and the man has been convicted. So Buhari and APC should not see themselves as saint.”
The Governor also said “I got mind of the fact that the EFCC had placed 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."
Adding that “I have become figure 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 sitting government now that nobody can ask them question? We will take every legal procedure to get things right.
“I am not leaving this bank until they give meant 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 me. They want to destabilize 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.”
The Ekiti state government has met the conditions to receive bailouts from the Federal Government.
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