Probe Of Fayemi’s Administration By Judicial Commission Begins In Ekiti
The Judicial Commission of Enquiry set up by the Ekiti State Government to look into the finances of the state under the Dr Kayode Fayemi-led administration between 2010 and 2014 has commenced sitting in Ado Ekiti.
This came as the suspended member of the House of Assembly, Hon. Gboyega Aribisogan failed to appear before the panel constituted by the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to try him for alleged anti-party activities.
The panel, according to its chairman, Hon. Ayodele Michael waited for over three hours at the PDP’s secretariat in Ajilosun area of Ado Ekiti but the embattled lawmaker refused to show up.
Speaking during its inaugural sitting, the Chairman of the Commission, Retired Justice Bamidele Oyewole highlighted the terms of reference of his Commission to include ascertaining the actual amount that accrued to the State as statutory allocations from the Federation Account and all relevant financial transactions of the State during the period under review.
According to him, the Commission also has the mandate to investigate the allegations of fraud, diversion and conversion of funds related to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), stressing that the commission would find out the exact amount received on behalf of the state under the scheme and how it was expended.
Assuring all stakeholders of impartiality and transparency, Oyewole called for memoranda from the general public with respect to the terms of reference of his Commission, emphasizing the need for the support of all concerned towards the success of the assignment.
The Commission, which has three months to conclude its assignment is made up of Mrs. Bolanle Wale-Awe, Chief Magistrate Idowu Ayenimo and a representative of the Labour Unions, Comrade Oladele Blessing.
Other members of the Commission are Mrs. Adesola Oluremi, a Quantity Surveyor; Mr. Vincent Omodara; Barrister Sunday Bamise, Counsel to the Commission and Barrister Gbemiga Adaramola, State Director of Public Prosecutors who will function as Secretary to the Commission.
It would be recalled that Fayemi, who is now the minister of Mines and Steel Development had approached an Ado Ekiti High Court to challenge the competence of the commission to probe his administration, urging the court for an injunction restraining the commission from going ahead with it.
