The Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Ekiti State government to investigate allegations of fraud against the administration of the Minister for Steel and Minerals Resources Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi will begin proceedings next week Monday at the State High Court premises in Ado Ekiti.
The setting up of the enquiry was in strict compliance with section two of the Ekiti State Law on the establishment of Judicial Commission of Enquiry. The law under which the commission was set up was signed into Law in 2012 by Dr. Kayode Fayemi, which means it is an extant Law, a Law of the state and not intended to witch-hunt anybody.
The Commission of Inquiry headed by retired Justice, Silas Oyewole, has summoned Dr Fayemi, who is a former governor of the State, former Commissioner for Finance; Mr Dapo Kolawole, Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Ado Ekiti Branch Manager of Access Bank, Director General of the Security, Managing Director of Coscharis Motors Limited, Tianjin-Yuyang Construction Eng. Ltd, CASA Nig Ltd and Exchange Commission and Managing Director of SCOA Nigeria Limited.
An Ado-Ekiti High Court had rejected an application filed by Dr Fayemi, seeking an interim order to restrain the judicial commission of inquiry from probe his administration.
Justice Lekan Ogunmoye in a ruling held that Fayemi’s request for an interim order could not be granted because the defendants had filed a notice of preliminary injunction challenging the competence of the court to hear the substantive suit.
The Notice issued by Secretary to the Commission, Mr Gbenga Adaramola, read; “Consequent upon the inauguration of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the finances of Ekiti State between 2010 and 2014 by the Ekiti State Government, the Commission will commence the public hearing and the following witnesses would be called, examined and/or cross-examined as indicated hereunder.”
Those to be called on Monday, August 28, 2017 are witness from the Accountant General’s office and the Ministry of Finance while witnesses from the Ministry of Budget and Planning; General Administration and Department (GAD), Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Managing Director of Coscharis Motors Ltd will be called on Wednesday, August 30, 2017.
On Wednesday, September 6, 2017, witnesses from the Ministry of Works and Transportation will be called as well as Dr Kayode Fayemi, Mr Dapo Kolawole, SCOA Nig. Ltd, Citadel Nominees Limited/Toyab Associates Joint Consultants, CASA Nig. Ltd, and Director General of the Security and Exchange Commission.
On Monday, September 11, 2017, witnesses from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Ekiti State House of Assembly while Dr Fayemi, Mr Dapo Kolawole, UBEC Executive Secretary and Access Bank Branch Manager are to be cross-examined.
Officials of the Cabinet and Special Services (State Tenders Board) will be called to witness on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 while witnesses from the Ministry of Information, Youth and Sports Development and Ministry of Agriculture will be called on Monday, September 18, 2017.
The Commission of Inquiry was set up following a resolution passed by the Ekiti State House Assembly few weeks ago, which directed the governor to pursue the investigations given that Fayemi failed to appear before the house when summoned the come and testify.
The assembly had accused Fayemi of diverting funds belonging to the state Universal Basic Education Board while serving as governor of the state.
It has as its terms of reference, to ascertain how much Ekiti State Government received as statutory allocations during the period under review and how same were disbursed.
The commission is also to “look into the financial transactions of Ekiti State between 2010 and 2014; ascertain the amount received on behalf of the State from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC); investigate the allegations of fraud/loss of funds, including the diversion and conversion of the UBEC funds; ascertain the amount that the Ekiti State Government took as loans during the period under review and how they were utilized.”
It was also mandated to consider all other issues relating to the finances of the Ekiti State Government within the period under review, and to make appropriate recommendations to the Ekiti State Government.
