Ekiti Judicial Commission Of Inquiry Begins Proceedings Next Monday, Summons Fayemi, Coscharis Motors, Others
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.
