The Ekiti State House of Assembly has imposed a fine of N1m on the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, for shunning the three summons of the house to explain alleged misappropriation of N852 million Universal Basic Education during his tenure as the governor of the state.
The first summon was sent on March 10th 2016, the second on November 29th 2016 while the last was on February 2nd 2017.
The House also resolved that a reminder letter be written to the Nigeria Police Force through the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris , to effect the warrant issued by the house and arrest the former governor without further delay.
But Fayemi had filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, demanding N500 million damages against the assembly.
Addressing a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon Samuel Omotoso, said it had become a public knowledge that the house invited Fayemi on three occasions spanning a period of one year as follows but turned it down.
“The 1st invitation was sent on March 10th 2016. The 2nd invitation was sent on November 29th 2016. The 3rd Invitation was sent on February 2nd 2017. "
"Rather than attend to these invitations by the EKHA as empowered by section 129, 1c, of the constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria and come to the Assembly to explain himself on allegations of corruption and abuse of office levied against him by the executive arm of Government, Dr Fayemi prefers to play to the gallery.
“He shadow- boxed himself by putting his face at the laws of our land, thus constituting a serious affront and threat to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. Section 129, 1c, of the constitution of the FRN granted us express powers to invite anybody for information and clarifications, especially on matters of evidence.
“This we have done and Dr Fayemi was officially declared wanted on February 7th 2017 and the police was adequately communicated through the IGP to effect his arrest forthwith. Up to this moment the police has failed to carry out their constitutional duties as confer by the 1999 constitution of the FRN”.
Omotoso added that this breach of the law of the land was one too many on the part of Fayemi and that the assembly condemned the act as well as all lovers of democracy and the rule of law.
“Going from the above, this house today officially declare the Fayemi as a law breaker and in exercising our powers under section 129,1d, of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria hereby imposes a fine of one million against Dr Fayemi and payable to the EKHA."
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