After some drama at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters in Abuja, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose was taken into custody yesterday.
The anti-graft agency is questioning Fayose over the ongoing probe of the alleged diversion N4.685billion by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The ex-governor is being grilled over the N1.3billion and $5.377million allegedly traced to him from the N4.6 billion slush funds.
The ex-governor arrived at the EFCC office in Wuse 2, Abuja in a customised blue Tee-Shirt with the inscription โEFCC Iโm hereโ.
He was accompanied by his lawyer Mike Ozekhome(SAN),Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and a former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode . There was also a small crowd of supporters, some of them wearing white T-Shirts emblazoned with โFayose, conscience of the nationโ
Fayose came in a black Lexus SUV. He was carrying a bag containing his dresses.
The crowd was shouting Fayoseโs nickname, โOshokoโ and carrying placards in praise of the ex-governor. Fayose said: โI am here in line with my promise that I will be here on the 16th of October and, like I told the EFCC, they should await my arrival. This morning, they have been to my house; they cordoned off the street which I believe was unnecessary and unwarranted.
โI have promised to report; I am here now. I will be able to respond to all allegations.โ
As he was going into custody, Fayose told reporters: โNobody should be afraid of the EFCC, especially when you have nothing to hide. I have remained courageous for Nigerians and I will always be with Nigerians.โ
He was quoted as telling detectives that he needed to rest, having worked hard for four years.
He also reportedly told his interrogators: โI deny all the allegations, take me to court.โ
Sources said Fayose would respond to issues raised by three teams of investigators.
A source added: โHe made a statement where he denied all the allegations and asked the commission to take him to court.
โSo far, he has not responded to how he came about N1.3billion and $5.377million from ONSA. He has more issues to clarify; we are going to detain him.โ
The source added: โThere are three teams handling the allegations against the former governor. There is a special team managing his suspended trial because he had immunity as a governor; a separate team for the N4.685b ONSA fraud and the third panel probes his just completed tenure.
โDefinitely, we are going to detain Fayose because he has a lot of issues to clarify.โ
Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC Wilson Uwujaren merely said: โThe ex-governor is undergoing interrogation.โ
Speaking before Fayose entered the EFCCโs office, Wike said: โYou can see that our brother has come to see the EFCC. He wrote a letter to the EFCC that he will submit himself on the 16th of October. He is going in hale and hearty; I believe the EFCC should know.
โSo let Nigerians know that he came by himself to the EFCC without anybody harassing him, so thatโs why I brought him here.โ
Fani-Kayode said: โWe came to stand with our friend. He is going in hale and hearty; we trust God he will come out this way.โ
Ozekhome said Nigerians were โnot in the Hobbesian state which was brutishโ. โThis is a country governed by law and not the rule of the thumb. There should be respect for the constitution,โ the lawyer said.
