Ekiti state governor and chairman, Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, Ayodele Fayose has insisted that he will make himself available for questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on October 16, a day after he is expected to leave office.
It could be recalled that the commission had earlier requested the governor to appear on Thursday, September 20th, 2018 but the governor cited the danger of violating section 308 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) which vested immunity on him as a sitting governor.
In a letter addressed to acting EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu and made available to journalists in Abuja, Fayose chided the commission for what he termed its “Unprovoked personal hatred and malice against my person.” Fayose said he was moved to write the anti-graft agency after reading in the press of its directive to the Nigeria Customs Service to arrest him on fears that he might elope before the expiration of his tenure to prevent his prosecution.
The letter read: “I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 13th September, 2018 requesting me to appear on the 20th September, a day preceding the expiration of my tenure.
“As a responsible citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who currently enjoys immunity under Section 308 of the Constitution, it would amount to a breach of the Constitution which I swore to uphold if I appear in your office on any date earlier than 16th October, 2018.
If done otherwise, it will set a wrong precedent for the constitutional institution that I represent.
“While drafting my response to yours of 14th September, 2018, my attention was drawn to your widely publicised letter of 12th September, 2018 to the Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service and similar agencies, directing them to watch-list and arrest me on an imagination that I might leave Nigeria to escape investigation.
This development, to say the least, is disappointing and betrays your commission’s unprovoked personal hatred and malice against my person.”