The lawmakers also condemned the actions of the EFCC
in freezing the bank accounts belonging to Ekiti state Governor saying
it is an affront to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Our
attention has been drawn to the freezing of the bank accounts belonging
to Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose by the EFCC and we wish to
state that the actions violates the constitution of Nigeria, which
conferred immunity on the governor and the EFCC Act, which mandates the
Commission to obtain a valid court order before bank accounts of anyone
can be frozen,” the statement began.
Continuing, the statement read, “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.”
Governor Fayose's Zenith bank
accounts were frozen many days back over allegations of his involvement
in the Arms Deal fraud perpetrated by the ex-National Security Adviser,
Samdo Dasuki.
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