The truism of Governor of Ekiti State's claim that his Zenith Bank account was yesterday frozen by the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC has been confirmed as the commission had given the reason why it did so, News Punch has learnt reliably.
News Punch had yesterday reported that the talkative Ekiti State governor's account was frozen by the anti-graft agency.
The EFCC, in response at Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State's claim that he cannot be investigated because of immunity currently covering him as a sitting governor, said the account was frozen over suspicion flow of illegal fund to the said account.
Fayose had on Monday claimed that his account was frozen by the anti-graft agency for a reason he could not explain.
Reacting, however, the commission said that the immunity being enjoyed by any governor did not prevent the agency from investigating suspicious movements of money into his accounts.
As reported by Vanguard News, the Spokesman for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren said that the anti-graft agency had the right to investigate any governor whose account was being used to move funds.
“Immunity does not prevent EFCC from investigating suspicious accounts of those enjoying immunity and Fayose cannot be an exception,” the commission said.
News Punch further learnt that the EFCC actually frozen the governor's account over involvement in the ongoing investigation of $2.1 billion arms deal scam involving former Nationa Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
Governor Fayose Fayose in 2014, allegedly received N1 . 2 billion from the former National Security Adviser , Colonel Sambo Dasuki which was meant to be used to compromise security personnel deployed to Ekiti State during governorship election there .
The EFCC has traced N500 million of that money into Governor Fayose 's Zenith Bank Account .
Reacting to Gov. Fayose's claim of still being covered by the immunity in the constitution, a human rights activist and constitutional lawyer, Barrister Okoi Obono-Obla said to News Punch; "the fact that a Governor is conferred with immunity by Section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ,1999 (as amended ) does not preclude the Police or Law Enforcement Agency such as the EFCC from investigating such Governor when he suspected of having committed a criminal suspect."
"However, such a Governor cannot be prosecuted till his immunity ends after the expiration of his tenure"
"Therefore, the EFCC is right to investigate Governor Fayose for money laundering" the lawyer said
Governor Fayose Fayose in 2014, allegedly received N1 . 2 billion from the former National Security Adviser , Colonel Sambo Dasuki which was meant to be used to compromise security personnel deployed to Ekiti State during governorship election there .
The EFCC has traced N500 million of that money into Governor Fayose 's Zenith Bank Account .
Reacting to Gov. Fayose's claim of still being covered by the immunity in the constitution, a human rights activist and constitutional lawyer, Barrister Okoi Obono-Obla said to News Punch; "the fact that a Governor is conferred with immunity by Section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ,1999 (as amended ) does not preclude the Police or Law Enforcement Agency such as the EFCC from investigating such Governor when he suspected of having committed a criminal suspect."
"However, such a Governor cannot be prosecuted till his immunity ends after the expiration of his tenure"
"Therefore, the EFCC is right to investigate Governor Fayose for money laundering" the lawyer said
Related Post: BREAKING: Gov. Fayose's Account Frozen By EFCC
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