Nelson A.Osuala[23 June 2016] 05:04PM
Not until recently, Governor Fayose seems to have been on the hot seat and his name seems to be making headlines in newspapers , premised upon the fact that he was named among those guilty of president Buhari's Corruption and arms-deal scandal.
What is more surprising is that the Governor of Ekiti seems unperturbed by the numerous corruption allegations which he has vehemently denied as couched under a spurious logic to dent his reputation.
You would recall that in an earlier publication on this Blog,
See link: http://www.negroidhaven.org/2016/06/difficult-days-ahead-as-efcc-freezes.html
We brought to fore stories that Gov. Fayose's account with Zenith Bank was frozen by the EFCC, due to allegations of corruption, under the leadership eyes of Mr president Buhari.
To that publication, several stories have emerged as the issue has now gone viral on social media outlets and other print and electronic media information sites.
Also see:
http://www.negroidhaven.org/2016/06/fayoses-efcc-freezed-account-between.html
Further startling revelation has it that Zenith Bank denied sponsoring the Ekiti State Governor's electioneering campaign as alleged.
But the Governor is insisting without mincing words and on the basis of valid logic and empirical facts that the Financial Institution did sponsor his election and that there is a possibility that Her arguing otherwise may have been coerced by the powers that be in Aso Rock!
Below is an excerpt from Gov. Fayose's interview as published in Sun News Online, title:
"Bank And Associates Funded My Election"
Fayose has also debunked allegations that the freezing of his personal accounts on Monday was connected with the arms scandal that involves former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki.
Fayose disclosed his election of June 21, 2014 was funded partly by Zenith Bank Plc, fund raising, donations from friends and associates as well as sale of campaign souvenirs.
On Monday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) froze Fayose’s bank account as part of investigation into his alleged link with the arms scandal.
Dismissing the allegation as spurious, yesterday, Fayose, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, said:
“I had no financial transaction whatsoever with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and former minister of state for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro either by cash, cheque or electronic transfer.”
“The management of Zenith Bank, which majorly funded my election, called me to a meeting where I was assured that fund will be provided for my election. I was asked to nominate a trusted ally to be related with and I nominated Mr. Abiodun Agbele".
“All the payments into Agbele’s account domiciled in Zenith Bank were directly from the bank.
“Most of the funds posted into Agbele’s account were through the Ibadan, Akure and Lagos branches of the Zenith Bank and sometimes; they brought cash.
“Assuming, but not conceding that cash moved from Lagos to Akure as being claimed by the EFCC, meant for my election in Ekiti, why was the cash not moved to Ado Ekiti branch of Zenith Bank or the cash handed to me directly?
“Why was it deposited into Zenith Bank, Akure and did the bank make any report on the transaction to the appropriate authorities? Why did the bank send its bullion van to move the money from Akure Airport to their Akure branch if it was illegal money?"
“I must say it categorically that I don’t have any link financially with Obanikoro and I know as a fact that he (Obanikoro) has not; and cannot mention my name, as beneficiary of whatever money any company in which he has interest could have got from the ONSA if truly Obanikoro collected money from the ONSA as being claimed by the EFCC.
“Therefore, Obanikoro and his son’s narrative or that the Zenith Bank is telling different stories, having been blackmailed and coerced into submission by the EFCC is a joke that will not fly.
“I wish to state further that if it becomes evidently clear that those who willingly provided money for my election can no longer stand by what they did, maybe because of threat from the EFCC, I will not hesitate to name names.”
The governor, who challenged the EFCC to also beam its searchlights on the funding of APC elections, especially that of President Buhari.
He said: “Since we are now in the era in which financial assistance from Nigerians to fund elections is being criminalised, the international community, especially those funding EFCC must insist that the commission probes the funding of APC elections before further funds are released to the commission.”
Critical reactions:
It appears the facts seems to be speaking for itself. Veritable evidence exonerating the Governor seems to be in the cooler.
Should he decide to name individuals as a weapon for his exoneration as suggested above..? l think he is willing to stay calm until the need arises.
Nelson A.Osuala is a Blogger & an Associate Editor of NegroidHaven.
