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Gov. Fayose and Deputy, Mrs. Olujimi responds to allegations

Written by Omoyele Sowore

Tuesday, 10 October 2006

Office of the Executive Governor
PMB 5301, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State Nigeria

The Rt. Honorable Speaker
Ekiti State House of Assembly
Ado Ekiti

PLEASE FIND BELLOW MY RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS BROUGHT TO MY NOTICE.

On Allegation one (1) and two (2)

I am aware that under the constitution of Nigeria the code of conduct tribunal is the only body empowered to try public officers for the infraction of the law on running of foreign account and in my case I have no such case before the tribunal nor was I ever found guilty of such contravention by the tribunal.

However for the records, on allegation 0ne (1) I don’t have any current operational account in the Bank of America, United States of America.

The VISA Credit No------45397806

And

NO------28083056

Are not known to me as stated in the paragraph one (1) of the notice.

On allegation two (2)- The account Nos----50633925 and 60642924 mentioned are no longer operational as claimed and account No---80809594 is not known to me.

3. Illegal diversion of Local Government Funds contrary to Section 162 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

Answer

This allegation is spurious and contains no iorta of truth. I did not divert the sum of 11.7 billion Naira received from the federation account from January 2004-June 2006 from the State account. The notice failed to mention which account was diverted. All allocations from the Federation account comes straight to into the Local Government Joint Account, and as the Governor of the State, I oversee the disbursement of the funds with stipulated guideline of the accounting procedure. In a small State as ours no governor or individual can divert 11.7 billion Naira without serious negative repercussions on the financial running of the state. Government is equally not running by the Governor alone. Details of Local Government Spending and transactions are with the Accountant General’s office and will be produced upon request.

4. Receipt of Illegal Gifts contrary to paragraph 6 of the Code of Conduct to wit.

Answer:

This allegation is false and baseless. I did not receive the sum of 37,000 British Pound sterling from anyone or biological Concept who are handlers of the poultry project of Ekiti State. My personal Assistant has denied collecting the said money on my behalf in his statement of July 24, 2006 to EFCC.

5. Receipt of Illegal Gifts contrary to paragraph 6 of the Code of Conduct to wit.

Answer:

This allegation is also false and I did not receive any illegal gift of the house lying situate at No, 10 Kobiowu Crescent Ibadan as gift arising from the proceeds of the Ekiti State Poultry Project.

6. Receipt of Illegal Gifts of Houses contrary to paragraph 6 of the Code of Conduct to wit.

Answer:

(i) This allegation is also false. I did not receive the property lying at No 23 Ring Road Restaurant Street Ibadan, valued at 20million Naira as a gift. It is not true that I received any gift from the proceeds of Governor’s Office contract awarded to Abiodun Fari-Arole, by extension, Grid Associates Nigeria Ltd. The said property was built from proceeds on my legitimate earnings. I wish to state that I was not a pauper before becoming the governor of Ekiti State in May 2003, as all these allegations are orchestrated to bring me and my government down

(ii) The property lying and being at Are road, Afao-Ekiti State valued about 25 million Naira in my country home belong to me. I started building the house before I became governor of Ekiti State in 2003, and was given to Mr. Abiodun Fari-Arole for completion. He was paid for his services by cash and not paid from the proceeds of cntracts of fountain Hotel. The said property is not a gift to me I have never received any gift or gratification from Grids Associate or Abiodun Fari- Arole. The fact that Fari is an Ekiti contractor does not prevent me not to

(iii) I did not collect 42million Naira directly or indirectly through Mr. Ayobola from Mr. Abiodun Fari-Arole of Grids Associate as illegal gift being proceeds from contract of fountain Hotel and Governor’s office. Abiodun Fari-Arole lives in Ekiti and sees me daily and needs not to go through any third party to deal with me if at all he uses to. Ayobola Abiola does not represent my interest at all. Our relationship is strictly official as he serves as a Banker to the State Government and nothing more. Though I have known him as a casual friend for a while before becoming a governor.

7. Illegal transfer of the sum of $100,000 to the United States of America contrary to the Money Laundering Act 2004.

Answer:

In reply to paragraph 7, I state categorically, that the allegation is false. I did not transfer the sum of $100,000 to the United States of America on the 20^th August 2004 through Account No---45703770 of Citi bank or at any time.

Dated this 9^th day of October, 2006

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	# 1 Gov. Fayose and Deputy, Mrs. Olujimi responds to allegations Office of the Executive Governor PMB 5301, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State Nigeria The Rt. Honorable Speaker Ekiti State House of Assembly Ado Ekiti PLEASE FIND BELLOW MY RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS BROUGHT TO MY NOTICE. On Allegation one (1) and two (2) I am aware that under the constitution of Nigeria the code of conduct tribunal is the only body empowered to try public officers for the infraction of the law on running of foreign account and in my case I have no such case before the tribunal nor was I ever found guilty of such contravention by the tribunal. However for the records, on allegation 0ne (1) I don’t have any current operational account in the Bank of America, United States of America. The VISA Credit No------45397806 And NO------28083056 Are not known to me as stated in the paragraph one (1) of the notice. On allegation two (2)- The account Nos----50633925 and 60642924 mentioned are no longer operational as claimed and account No---80809594 is not known to me. 3. Illegal diversion of Local Government Funds contrary to Section 162 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. Answer This allegation is spurious and contains no iorta of truth. I did not divert the sum of 11.7 billion Naira received from the federation account from January 2004-June 2006 from the State account. The notice failed to mention which account was diverted. All allocations from the Federation account comes straight to into the Local Government Joint Account, and as the Governor of the State, I oversee the disbursement of the funds with stipulated guideline of the accounting procedure. In a small State as ours no governor or individual can divert 11.7 billion Naira without serious negative repercussions on the financial running of the state. Government is equally not running by the Governor alone. Details of Local Government Spending and transactions are with the Accountant General’s office and will be produced upon request. 4. Receipt of Illegal Gifts contrary to paragraph 6 of the Code of Conduct to wit. Answer: This allegation is false and baseless. I did not receive the sum of 37,000 British Pound sterling from anyone or biological Concept who are handlers of the poultry project of Ekiti State. My personal Assistant has denied collecting the said money on my behalf in his statement of July 24, 2006 to EFCC. 5. Receipt of Illegal Gifts contrary to paragraph 6 of the Code of Conduct to wit. Answer: This allegation is also false and I did not receive any illegal gift of the house lying situate at No, 10 Kobiowu Crescent Ibadan as gift arising from the proceeds of the Ekiti State Poultry Project. 6. Receipt of Illegal Gifts of Houses contrary to paragraph 6 of the Code of Conduct to wit. Answer: (i) This allegation is also false. I did not receive the property lying at No 23 Ring Road Restaurant Street Ibadan, valued at 20million Naira as a gift. It is not true that I received any gift from the proceeds of Governor’s Office contract awarded to Abiodun Fari-Arole, by extension, Grid Associates Nigeria Ltd. The said property was built from proceeds on my legitimate earnings. I wish to state that I was not a pauper before becoming the governor of Ekiti State in May 2003, as all these allegations are orchestrated to bring me and my government down (ii) The property lying and being at Are road, Afao-Ekiti State valued about 25 million Naira in my country home belong to me. I started building the house before I became governor of Ekiti State in 2003, and was given to Mr. Abiodun Fari-Arole for completion. He was paid for his services by cash and not paid from the proceeds of cntracts of fountain Hotel. The said property is not a gift to me I have never received any gift or gratification from Grids Associate or Abiodun Fari- Arole. The fact that Fari is an Ekiti contractor does not prevent me not to (iii) I did not collect 42million Naira directly or indirectly through Mr. Ayobola from Mr. Abiodun Fari-Arole of Grids Associate as illegal gift being proceeds from contract of fountain Hotel and Governor’s office. Abiodun Fari-Arole lives in Ekiti and sees me daily and needs not to go through any third party to deal with me if at all he uses to. Ayobola Abiola does not represent my interest at all. Our relationship is strictly official as he serves as a Banker to the State Government and nothing more. Though I have known him as a casual friend for a while before becoming a governor. 7. Illegal transfer of the sum of $100,000 to the United States of America contrary to the Money Laundering Act 2004. Answer: In reply to paragraph 7, I state categorically, that the allegation is false. I did not transfer the sum of $100,000 to the United States of America on the 20th August 2004 through Account No---45703770 of Citi bank or at any time. Dated this 9th day of October, 2006 http://www.saharareporters.com/dn001.php?dnid=152 Posted by gwobezentashi\| 09.10.2006 17:17

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	# 2 This is laughable! He is not serious about exonerating himself at all. Abi how una see this: I did not do this. I did not do that. This is false. That is a fabrication End. Just like that? How convincing! Auspicious. Posted by Auspicious\| 09.10.2006 18:14

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	# 3 A cardinal principle of Law is that he who asserts must prove. Fayose has simply denied all the allegations against him. Therefore, the ball is in the court of Ekiti House of Assembly to prove their allegations against the governor. Going into the substance of his denial proper, I observe that in his bid to offer a clever defence of the allegations against him, he may have shot himself in the foot. For instance, when he makes this statement: However for the records, on allegation 0ne (1) I don’t have any current operational account in the Bank of America, United States of America. Or this one: On allegation two (2)- The account Nos----50633925 and 60642924 mentioned are no longer operational as claimed and account No---80809594 is not known to me. He leaves himself open to the potentially fatal rebuttal by the panel, that the accounts in question existed whilst he governed the state. That they are no longer operational does not mean that the illegality has ceased to exist with his closing of the account. In other words, he is couching this particular defence as if to say that for the act to be illegal, it must be continuous and subsisting. The accounts should not have been open, or operational at any time he was governor of the state. A word of caution however; it depends on the phraseology of the allegations against him. It would be a pity if this guy's defence succeeds on technicalities. I hope the allegations were properly framed to take into account, this sort of hair-splitting defence. DoubleWahala Posted by DoubleWahala\| 09.10.2006 21:31

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	# 4 =gwobezentashi;133767> (i) This allegation is also false. I did not receive the property lying at No 23 Ring Road Restaurant Street Ibadan, valued at 20million Naira as a gift. It is not true that I received any gift from the proceeds of Governor’s Office contract awarded to Abiodun Fari-Arole, by extension, Grid Associates Nigeria Ltd. The said property was built from proceeds on my legitimate earnings. I wish to state that I was not a pauper before becoming the governor of Ekiti State in May 2003, as all these allegations are orchestrated to bring me and my government down Leave the Governor alone. Ask the contractor who built for accounts. How were they paid for no. 23 Ring Road. On what Bank draft. Get a subpeona. search on the bank instrument. ? 7. Illegal transfer of the sum of $100,000 to the United States of America contrary to the Money Laundering Act 2004. It is easy to trace the activity on the alleged account if any monies were ever transfered. All the investigator needs is a subpeona that lists the target of inquiry. Who owns the account, what business is he/she involved in; what was payment of $100,000 for? who owns a/c no. 45703770 with citibank? Posted by ula-lisa\| 09.10.2006 23:17

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	# 5 @ DW As you know impeachment is a political process and is only legal to the extent of its constitutionality and adherence to its due process. I wouldn't dwell too much on legalistics as this panel is not a court of law. One mistake they (indictees) all make is to assume that they are entitled to cross examine witnesses as obtains in the courts which is a fundamental premise of a "fair trial". He may even find that the panel will receive more detailed information than was availed him in the impeachment notice and thus his lack of indepth rebuttals could work against him. Basically the odds are stacked against him depending on who (if any) is wagging the CJ's tail. The panel may choose to consider the written submissions alone and come to a decision. This unfortunately as we saw in Bayelsa and Oyo is another opportunity not for justice as we know it but for another "wuru wuru to the answer". Worse for the governor, the proceedings of an impeachment are ousted from the purview of the courts. What struck me in particular is that a letter from the governor of a state in Nigeria could have so many errors of syntax and semantics - "bellow", "iorta", "The notice failed to mention which account was diverted", "The said property was built from proceeds on my legitimate earnings." etc etc. It is like reading some contributions on this site. But here comes another twist in this case: Speaker protests as Ekiti CJ names panel on Fayose Governor, at Ekiti Assembly, denies charges PDP urges due process From Ifedayo Sayo, Ado-Ekiti, Mustapha Ogunsakin, Lagos and John-Abba Ogbodo, Abuja BEFORE its take-off, the planned investigation of the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, and his deputy, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi, may have run into another round of controversy. As the state Chief judge, Justice Kayode Bamisile released a list of seven persons to investigate the allegations of financial misconduct, the state's Speaker, Mr. Friday Aderemi, raised strong objections to the composition. It all came on a day the governor and his deputy visited the House and denied the allegations while the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urged due process in the impeachment process. The panel, which is headed by a legal practitioner, Mr. Remi Bamigboye, is to be inaugurated today by Justice Bamisile. The other members are Mr. Alli Apanisile, Mr. Sesan Adesuyi, Rev. Segun Da-Silva Ige, Mr. Olu Alade, Pastor Solomon Omoniyi Ajisafe and Mrs. Olufunmi Olukogbo. But Aderemi last night told The Guardian that the team assembled by the Chief Judge were either contractors to the Fayose administration or relations of the governor. Aderemi disclosed that members of the Assembly were last night meeting on whether to accept the composition or not and accused the Chief Judge of insincerity. The Speaker said that the chairman of the panel named by Bamisile is barely seven years at the bar and that the team is composed of unknown people. According to him, Ekiti is not a place where "unknown quantities would be saddled with that kind of assignment when we have people who have proved their mettle over time, with distinguished careers." The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, John Odey, stated in Abuja the party would lend support to anything that could help bring about peace, progress and stability in the state. "We are really concerned but we cannot undermine due process of law. We can only advise that whichever way it goes, let the interest of the people be paramount," Odey stated. Fayose earlier yesterday appeared before members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly to defend himself against allegations of gross misconduct levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In his defence, the governor denied all the allegations, saying he believed that God would exonerate him no matter the judgment of man. Fayose, who was accompanied to the Assembly complex by his deputy, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi and some of his personal aides, said the ongoing impeachment move against him and Olujimi was the first such case in the history of the country. He, however, expressed hope to triumph. http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/news/article01 It would however be interesting to know when the EFCC intends to bring charges against the members of the House of Assembly including the Speaker who may end up as the new deputy governor (if not the Numero Uno) if the alleged villa's plans of a soft landing for the Balogun's congo are borne out. Maybe I speak too soon and perhaps Fayose has found a way to survive this onslaught given the Speaker's protests and he may well survive. In that case, the Speaker and his fellow conspirators will be toast and the current wholesale programme of "impeaching" governors may just unravel. The stakes therefore are pretty high. However and assuming that things go according to the EFCC plan, if the precedence of Bayelsa is anything to go by, the legislators may have shafted their constituents of N100m(or whatever they received for constituency projects and whatever else) each and laughing at them all the way to the bank. Thanks to Nuhu and Obasanjo's warped sense of justice. The next theatre would be Plateau where things are no where as tidy as Ekiti for the Feds. Things are very likely going to get out of hand there. We hear that EFCC operations have also commenced in Abia State as well as in Zamfara. Enugu and Imo we hear are also on the cards. Enugu is a priority perhaps to pander to Ken Nnamani in his political tussle with Ebeano and to bring him (Ken) on side in the Obj vs Atiku roforofo fight. An interesting quote from that tussle caught my eye: “The Federal Government has uncovered plans by the Atiku Abubakar group to disparage the entire members of the National Assembly who are currently investigating the VP’s indictment by the FBI and the federal government’s investigation Panel,” signed by Gbade Ogunwale (Special Assistant, Media), Office of the Political Adviser to the President(i.e. Akin Osuntokun) . But we already had this on record: From the United States, a twist was added to the tale by the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Dr. Jendayi Frazer who reportedly described the probe of Vice President Atiku as "the handiwork of politicians who try to smear the reputation of opponents." She was also quoted as having added that "the request by the U. S. was for Nigeria to help furnish information on an American congressman, William Jefferson, who is being investigated for alleged corrupt practices, and not a case against the Vice President of Nigeria". Rueben Abati - Bolekaja(5). Surely the American government would not say this about an Atiku that has been indicted by its own FBI? Could our government not just be spinning(which is allowed) but telling outright lies? Are things that desperate for it or is it looking for an excuse for a security clamp down? Aluta! Gwobezentashi Posted by gwobezentashi\| 10.10.2006 01:19

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	# 6 DoubleWahala wrote: A cardinal principle of Law is that he who asserts must prove. Sir, I agree that Fayose has simply denied all the allegations against him, which amounts to asserting that the Ekiti House of Assembly is lying. Therefore, Fayose, must now prove that the Ekiti House of Assembly is lying. Posted by Palamedes\| 10.10.2006 09:38

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	# 7 Ekiti Assembly Rejects Impeachment Panel: Summons CJ, Speaker Storms Oath Session -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Olusola Olaosebikan The impeachment saga in Ekiti State took a new twist this morning when the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Friday Aderemi stormed the venue where the 7-man impeachment panel was being sworn-in and handed a letter rejecting the composition to the state chief judge, Justice Kayode Bamisile. The drama which took place at Court 1 of the Ekiti High Court, took everyone present by surprise but many supported the action of the speaker. The speaker, representing 23 other legislators who signed the impeachment notice against Governor Ayo Fayose and his deputy, Mrs. Abiodun Olujinmi, rejected the composition of members of the panel, insisting that they consisted of supporters of Fayose. After handing over the latter to Justice Bamisile, the speaker directed him to appear before the assembly tomorrow and explain his reason for appointing only those the legislators considered as loyalists of Fayose. The CJ was also asked to come along with the CVs of all the members of the panel while appearing tomorrow in the House. Mr. Aderemi argued in his letter to the CJ that Ekiti had eminent personalities whose integrity can be defended anywhere than the motley crowd of Fayose?s contractors assembled. He therefore called for the suspension of the panel. Despite receiving the letter, the CJ went ahead and swore in members of the panel. The seven members of the panel are Remi Bamigboye (chairman), Ali Apanisile, Segun Adesuyi, Segun Da-Silva Ige, Olu Alade, Solomon Ajisafe and Funmilayo Olukogbo (Mrs). P.M.News gathered that the only female member of the probe panel is a personal friend to Fayose?s wife while another member, a retired permanent secretary hails from the same local government with the governor. The Speaker, Mr. Aderemi also disclosed that two other members of the panel are contractors to the state government. Meanwhile, P.M.News gathered that the panel has commenced sitting in a chamber in the court complex. The chairman, Mr. Remi Bamigboye, said the panel would not waste time in probing the allegations levelled against Fayose. He assured Ekiti stakeholders of the impartiality of his panel and said it will ensure that justice prevails. Meanwhile, the Ekiti Agenda, a forum of all political parties in Ekiti State in collaboration with other stake holders yesterday held an emergency meeting to discuss burning issues affecting the state, particularly the on ? going impeachment process of the governor and his deputy Chief (Mrs.) Abiodun Olujimi and its consequences on the state. At the end of the deliberations, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted: 1. The Ekiti Agenda and other stake holders expressed great concern over the present situation in Ekiti State under the incumbent governor, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose particularly the damning report of the EFCC on the grand looting and pillage of the state 2. The Ekiti Agenda highly commended the EFCC under the leadership of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for its thorough and painstaking investigation of the Fayose administration so far and noted that the EFCC report merely confirmed what the Ekiti people already knew. 3. The indictment of both Governor Fayose and his deputy, Mrs. Abiodun Olujimi by the EFCC, though highly commendable, has no doubt constituted an embarrassment as well as a moral burden not only on the indicted duo but on the totality of Ekiti people who are noted for honesty and high morals. 4. That having refused to resign honorably in the face of their indictment and the attendant moral burden, all the stakeholders in Ekiti State fully support the impeachment of both Governor Fayose and his deputy Mrs. Olujimi and are replaced by the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr. Friday Aderemi as the Constitution prescribed in order to mitigate the shame that the duo had brought on all Ekiti people. 5. That in the interest of peace and political stability of dear state and the resolve of Ekiti people not to allow their state to be turned into a theatre of war, all the political parties under the platform of the Ekiti Agenda have resolved not to present any candidate for the mandatory governorship bye ? election that must hold in January 2007 to allow the PDP complete its four ? year mandate in the state. It does not make any sense to any of the political parties to present candidates for two elections within three months. 6. That in this circumstance, Ekiti people have resolved to cooperate with Rt. Hon. Friday Aderemi, a member of PDP, who is highly regarded in the party as well as in the state to steer the ship of the State between now and April 2007, after which all political parties shall be free to contest elections. 7. That Ekiti people will certainly not accept an ugly situation whereby people heavily indicted with documentary evidences of fraud, violence and killings by relevant government agencies are being forced on our people. This is likely to portray Ekiti people as lacking courage and will to redeem a very bad situation foisted on them by Fayose and his deputy. 8. That the present struggle to cleanse the mess created by the incumbent government of Governor Fayose is not an anti-PDP affair but a genuine desire by all Ekiti people to redeem their already battered image so that henceforth anybody whose antecedent, pedigree cannot be ascertained no longer finds himself or herself at the helm of affairs in the state. God save Ekiti People! The communique was signed by Chief Idowu Odeyemi (State Coordinator, Ekiti Agenda) for and on behalf of the following: 1. Chief George Akosile (Action Congress), 2. Chief Ade Akilaya (Action Congress) 3. Chief M. I. Adarai Fasae- NCP, 6.Deacon Olu Akomolafe - UNPP, 7. Mrs. Toyin Ajakaiye (E ? Eleven, a Forum of Ekiti Stakeholders), and 8. Prince Ade Alonge-Ekiti Agenda http://www.thenewsng.com/modules/zmagazine/article.php?articleid=10895 Who's Who On The "Yes Men" Panel? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following are loyalists of the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who were named yesterday by the State Chief judge, Justice Kayode Bamisile, as members of the impeachment panel set up to investigate allegations of corruption against the governor and his deputy, Abiodun Olujimi: 1. Remi Bamgboye (Chairman of the panel): He is Governor Fayose?s in-law from Eriyo-Ekiti. 2. Sesan Adesuyi is the first cousin to Governor Fayose. Adesuyi?s sister is the Personal Assistant to the governor?s wife. 3. Ali Apanisile: He is from Ife-Ekiti and works in the chambers of Duro Ajayi, who, until a few months ago, was the Ekiti State Attorney-General under the government of Fayose. Apanisile was called to the bar four years ago. 4. Funmilayo Olukogbo (Mrs.): She is Governor Fayose?s wife?s best friend. 5. Olu Alade: He was forcefully retired from the Ekiti State civil service by the former governor, Niyi Adebayo, over alleged age discrepancies. He was brought back into the civil service and appointed Permanent Secretary by Governor Fayose. He left the service a few months ago and his name has been pencilled down as commissioner to replace Lasimihan Olagunju who resigned from the state cabinet. The governor was said to have bought a new car for Alade five days ago. 6. Segun Da-Silva Ige is the governor?s friend from Igbemo-Ekiti. 7. Solomon Ajisafe is also the governor?s associate from Oke-Ayedun in Ekiti State. http://www.thenewsng.com/modules/zmagazine/article.php?articleid=10893 The Letter Sent To The CJ By The Speaker -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Honorable Justice Kayode Bamisile The Chief Judge, Ekiti State, Chief Judge?s Office High Court Complex, Ado Ekiti. My Lord, NOTIFICATION OF REJECTION OF IMPEACHMENT PANEL Following the announcement of the names of the seven persons appointed by your Lordship to investigate the grave allegations of gross misconduct leveled against the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Peter Ayodele Fayose and the Deputy Governor, Chief ( Mrs.) Abiodun Olujimi I have been inundated with calls from several persons who have questioned the integrity of the panel members. On my own part I have investigated and confirmed that the panel members are either contractors of the Ekiti State government, relations and personal friends of Governor Ayodele Fayose. It will be recalled that there was a move last week by Governor Fayose to use the Ekiti State judiciary to peremptorily terminate the impeachment with the grant of an ex parte order. Although our counsel, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN ) rushed to the court when we got wind of the surreptitious move, your lordship conspired with some judicial staff to deny us access to the court processes so as to present the house with a fait accompli. It has come to our notice that the court officials who later assisted the defense team in having access to the the court processes were immediately transferred to a remote part of the state pending their dismissal from service. Having not succeeded in manipulating the judicial process to frustrate the Ekiti State House of Assembly in discharging its constitutional responsibility in the circumstances you decided to constitute the impeachment panel contrary to the provision of section 188 (5) which stipulates that the panel shall be made up of persons of unquestionable integrity. Consequently, after a critical deliberation on the development, the honorable members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly have unanimously resolved to reject the impeachment panel on the ground of likelihood of bias. Since your lordship has deliberately decided to violate Section 188 (5) of the 1999 Constitution by refusing to appoint persons of impeachable integrity into the impeachment panel the House of Assembly will soon invite your Lordship to the floor of the House to justify why you should not be removed as the Chief Judge of Ekiti State. Thanks. Yours Sincerely, Rt. Hon. Friday Aderemi. http://www.thenewsng.com/modules/zmagazine/article.php?articleid=10894 Na wa. Overtake don overtake overtake. The come has come to become. DW, where you dey? You want kunun zaki or zobo? Me I dey coolee with my sharia compliant Gulder for corner. VOR, EMJ, una dey see wetin my eye dey see so? Aluta! Gwobezentashi Posted by gwobezentashi\| 10.10.2006 10:01

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	# 8 Ekiti Assembly Rejects Impeachment Panel: Summons CJ, Speaker Storms Oath Session -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Olusola Olaosebikan The impeachment saga in Ekiti State took a new twist this morning when the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Friday Aderemi stormed the venue where the 7-man impeachment panel was being sworn-in and handed a letter rejecting the composition to the state chief judge, Justice Kayode Bamisile. The drama which took place at Court 1 of the Ekiti High Court, took everyone present by surprise but many supported the action of the speaker. The speaker, representing 23 other legislators who signed the impeachment notice against Governor Ayo Fayose and his deputy, Mrs. Abiodun Olujinmi, rejected the composition of members of the panel, insisting that they consisted of supporters of Fayose. After handing over the letter to Justice Bamisile, the speaker directed him to appear before the Assembly tomorrow and explain his reason for appointing only those the legislators considered as loyalists of Fayose. The CJ was also asked to come along with the CVs of all the members of the panel while appearing tomorrow in the House. Mr. Aderemi argued in his letter to the CJ that Ekiti had eminent personalities whose integrity can be defended anywhere than the motley crowd of Fayose's contractors assembled. He therefore called for the suspension of the panel. Despite receiving the letter, the CJ went ahead and swore in members of the panel. The seven members of the panel are Remi Bamigboye (chairman), Ali Apanisile, Segun Adesuyi, Segun Da-Silva Ige, Olu Alade, Solomon Ajisafe and Funmilayo Olukogbo (Mrs). P.M.News gathered that the only female member of the probe panel is a personal friend to Fayose's wife while another member, a retired permanent secretary hails from the same local government with the governor. The Speaker, Mr. Aderemi also disclosed that two other members of the panel are contractors to the state government. Meanwhile, P.M.News gathered that the panel has commenced sitting in a chamber in the court complex. The chairman, Mr. Remi Bamigboye, said the panel would not waste time in probing the allegations levelled against Fayose. He assured Ekiti stakeholders of the impartiality of his panel and said it will ensure that justice prevails. Meanwhile, the Ekiti Agenda, a forum of all political parties in Ekiti State in collaboration with other stake holders yesterday held an emergency meeting to discuss burning issues affecting the state, particularly the on-going impeachment process of the governor and his deputy Chief (Mrs.) Abiodun Olujimi and its consequences on the state. At the end of the deliberations, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted: 1. The Ekiti Agenda and other stake holders expressed great concern over the present situation in Ekiti State under the incumbent governor, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose particularly the damning report of the EFCC on the grand looting and pillage of the state 2. The Ekiti Agenda highly commended the EFCC under the leadership of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for its thorough and painstaking investigation of the Fayose administration so far and noted that the EFCC report merely confirmed what the Ekiti people already knew. 3. The indictment of both Governor Fayose and his deputy, Mrs. Abiodun Olujimi by the EFCC, though highly commendable, has no doubt constituted an embarrassment as well as a moral burden not only on the indicted duo but on the totality of Ekiti people who are noted for honesty and high morals. 4. That having refused to resign honorably in the face of their indictment and the attendant moral burden, all the stakeholders in Ekiti State fully support the impeachment of both Governor Fayose and his deputy Mrs. Olujimi and are replaced by the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr. Friday Aderemi as the Constitution prescribed in order to mitigate the shame that the duo had brought on all Ekiti people. 5. That in the interest of peace and political stability of dear state and the resolve of Ekiti people not to allow their state to be turned into a theatre of war, all the political parties under the platform of the Ekiti Agenda have resolved not to present any candidate for the mandatory governorship bye-election that must hold in January 2007 to allow the PDP complete its four year mandate in the state. It does not make any sense to any of the political parties to present candidates for two elections within three months. 6. That in this circumstance, Ekiti people have resolved to cooperate with Rt. Hon. Friday Aderemi, a member of PDP, who is highly regarded in the party as well as in the state to steer the ship of the State between now and April 2007, after which all political parties shall be free to contest elections. 7. That Ekiti people will certainly not accept an ugly situation whereby people heavily indicted with documentary evidences of fraud, violence and killings by relevant government agencies are being forced on our people. This is likely to portray Ekiti people as lacking courage and will to redeem a very bad situation foisted on them by Fayose and his deputy. 8. That the present struggle to cleanse the mess created by the incumbent government of Governor Fayose is not an anti-PDP affair but a genuine desire by all Ekiti people to redeem their already battered image so that henceforth anybody whose antecedent, pedigree cannot be ascertained no longer finds himself or herself at the helm of affairs in the state. God save Ekiti People! The communique was signed by Chief Idowu Odeyemi (State Coordinator, Ekiti Agenda) for and on behalf of the following: 1. Chief George Akosile (Action Congress), 2. Chief Ade Akilaya (Action Congress) 3. Chief M. I. Adarai Fasae- NCP, 6.Deacon Olu Akomolafe - UNPP, 7. Mrs. Toyin Ajakaiye (E ? Eleven, a Forum of Ekiti Stakeholders), and 8. Prince Ade Alonge-Ekiti Agenda http://www.thenewsng.com/modules/zmagazine/article.php?articleid=10895 Who's Who On The "Yes Men" Panel? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following are loyalists of the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who were named yesterday by the State Chief judge, Justice Kayode Bamisile, as members of the impeachment panel set up to investigate allegations of corruption against the governor and his deputy, Abiodun Olujimi: 1. Remi Bamgboye (Chairman of the panel): He is Governor Fayose's in-law from Eriyo-Ekiti. 2. Sesan Adesuyi is the first cousin to Governor Fayose. Adesuyi's sister is the Personal Assistant to the governor's wife. 3. Ali Apanisile: He is from Ife-Ekiti and works in the chambers of Duro Ajayi, who, until a few months ago, was the Ekiti State Attorney-General under the government of Fayose. Apanisile was called to the bar four years ago. 4. Funmilayo Olukogbo (Mrs.): She is Governor Fayose's wife's best friend. 5. Olu Alade: He was forcefully retired from the Ekiti State civil service by the former governor, Niyi Adebayo, over alleged age discrepancies. He was brought back into the civil service and appointed Permanent Secretary by Governor Fayose. He left the service a few months ago and his name has been pencilled down as commissioner to replace Lasimihan Olagunju who resigned from the state cabinet. The governor was said to have bought a new car for Alade five days ago. 6. Segun Da-Silva Ige is the governor?s friend from Igbemo-Ekiti. 7. Solomon Ajisafe is also the governor's associate from Oke-Ayedun in Ekiti State. http://www.thenewsng.com/modules/zmagazine/article.php?articleid=10893 The Letter Sent To The CJ By The Speaker -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Honorable Justice Kayode Bamisile The Chief Judge, Ekiti State, Chief Judge?s Office High Court Complex, Ado Ekiti. My Lord, NOTIFICATION OF REJECTION OF IMPEACHMENT PANEL Following the announcement of the names of the seven persons appointed by your Lordship to investigate the grave allegations of gross misconduct leveled against the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Peter Ayodele Fayose and the Deputy Governor, Chief ( Mrs.) Abiodun Olujimi I have been inundated with calls from several persons who have questioned the integrity of the panel members. On my own part I have investigated and confirmed that the panel members are either contractors of the Ekiti State government, relations and personal friends of Governor Ayodele Fayose. It will be recalled that there was a move last week by Governor Fayose to use the Ekiti State judiciary to peremptorily terminate the impeachment with the grant of an ex parte order. Although our counsel, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN ) rushed to the court when we got wind of the surreptitious move, your lordship conspired with some judicial staff to deny us access to the court processes so as to present the house with a fait accompli. It has come to our notice that the court officials who later assisted the defense team in having access to the the court processes were immediately transferred to a remote part of the state pending their dismissal from service. Having not succeeded in manipulating the judicial process to frustrate the Ekiti State House of Assembly in discharging its constitutional responsibility in the circumstances you decided to constitute the impeachment panel contrary to the provision of section 188 (5) which stipulates that the panel shall be made up of persons of unquestionable integrity. Consequently, after a critical deliberation on the development, the honorable members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly have unanimously resolved to reject the impeachment panel on the ground of likelihood of bias. Since your lordship has deliberately decided to violate Section 188 (5) of the 1999 Constitution by refusing to appoint persons of impeachable integrity into the impeachment panel the House of Assembly will soon invite your Lordship to the floor of the House to justify why you should not be removed as the Chief Judge of Ekiti State. Thanks. Yours Sincerely, Rt. Hon. Friday Aderemi. http://www.thenewsng.com/modules/zmagazine/article.php?articleid=10894 Na wa. Overtake don overtake overtake. The come has come to become. DW, where you dey? You want kunun zaki or zobo? Me I dey coolee with my sharia compliant Gulder for corner. VOR, EMJ, una dey see wetin my eye dey see so? E be like say this Speaker sef get conflict of interest inside the matter. As them dey say, he doth protest much much too much. No be the same Speaker wey EFCC say na thief too? He don defend himself so? Aluta! Gwobezentashi Posted by gwobezentashi\| 10.10.2006 10:03

Kabikala Kabikala is offline
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	# 9 Mr. Fayose affirms that he does not have any account with the Bank of America. Why does he not simply add that he does not have any foreign account anywhere? And then simply go ahead to declare all his assets before he came in as governor and at present. Every one knows that Fayose is guilty of all the allegations and even more, but the interest of Obasanjo is the key factor that may yet abort this impeachment move. With the way things are going, Fayose may survive if the present trend is anything to go by. We all know our Excellency never likes to lose any battle, especially to 'minnows' (Ekiti State legislators), moreso when, as it is being alleged on this site and elsewhere, congo issue is directly involved! Posted by Kabikala\| 10.10.2006 10:03

Auspicious Auspicious is offline
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	# 10 Oh lordy, lordy, LORD! What a situation! Gosh, you've gotta give it up to Ayodele Fayose. He truly knows his onions in treachery! When I read that he humbly drove himself to the State Assembly the other day to address the Assemblymen and women, I knew he was up to something. When he said he would submit himself to the rule of law, that he would accept whatever verdict reached in the case brought against him by the legislators, when he sent out messages to his supporters not to go out protesting on his behalf, I knew there was more to his pretensions at civility and humility. Now wind don blow and we don see fowl nyansh! Fayose has done his homework and boy, did he do that homework well or what! This guy knows his society and he knows it real well. If he didn't, a person of his 'calibre' would never have risen to become Governor of Ekiti. He has inflitrated virtually everywhere - from the CJ down to the members of the Assembly. He knows how simple-minded minion court clerks and other little civil servants think, and he has exploited their ignorance and insecurities to the hilt! Believe it or not, this guy has the state under lockdown! I always wondered about that CJ of theirs in Ekiti. Is it not the same CJ whom Fayose donated a brand new car to a few months ago? Was it not the same Chief Justice Kayode Bamisile whom Fayose promised heaven and earth, in broad daylight, back then..saying all the CJ had to do was co-operate and be loyal, while the CJ sat there smiling sheepishly?I guess the CJ is now being co-operative and loyal - co-operating by appointing personal friends and relatives of the indicted person as panelist to deliberate on the impeachment charges brought against the Governor. Up till yesterday, Fayose had been adamant, deriding and insulting the legislators..and accusing them of cowardice etc..daring them to come home to sit and legislate on the charges brought against him. They called his bluff and showed up in Ado-Ekiti, escorted by water-tight security apparatus. He kept on yelling to all who cared to listen, saying the Speaker and his Deputy only want to become Gomina and Deputy Gomina respectively. Then, over the weekend, he kept on yelling and crying in apprehension; expressing concern that the legislators already have plans to enlist members of the opposition as panelists on the committe that will oversee his impeachment. Now, all of a sudden, he is quiet and 'humble'. He is not complaining anymore. No doubt it is comforting for Fyose to know that his wife's best friend and a few relatives and personal friends are the members of the judical panel. Fayose may very well win this battle. If he does, it will be a deadly shame on all Ekiti people everywhere. It will be a bloody disgrace to Ekiti if justice is denied again. This guy has had his way too far. We shall see if a state that prides herself on sound knowledge, so much that she adopted the slogan "Fountain of Knowledge", with its retinue of big wig professors etc will allow a garullous thug of a Governor to continue to lord over them, threaten them and manipulate them at will. We shall see if the so-called petitioner-state of Ekiti only make noise with no action. Let it be known though, that Ekiti may not exactly be as easy as Oyo or Anambra. If Fayose wins, it will come at a deadly price..and it will hurt all the way from Ekiti to Abuja. The Speaker and his fellow Assemblymen may not be clean, but everybody with a good conscience will side with them against that imbecile of a Governor as he continues to do everything that drags Ekiti and her people towards 'Pariahville'. Auspicious. Posted by Auspicious\| 10.10.2006 11:12

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