The remand order, it was learnt, is subject to renewal which implies that Fayose could spend longer than two weeks in custody.
A reliable source said, “We have obtained a court order to hold Fayose for at least two weeks pending investigation. He could be released earlier or later than two weeks depending on the outcome of investigation.”
Fayose is under probe for allegedly receiving N1.3bn from the Office of the National Security Adviser through a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, during the build-up to the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.
However, sources within the commission revealed to The PUNCH that Fayose was also under probe for allegedly receiving kickbacks from government contractors through his aide, Abiodun Agbele, who is currently standing trial for fraud.
The EFCC source said, “We have many cases against Fayose being handled by three different teams. We cannot just arraign him immediately. We want to do a thorough job before taking him to court.”
Meanwhile, the lawyer to Fayose, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), told The PUNCH on the telephone that if the EFCC failed to release the former governor on Thursday (today), the commission would be sued for breaching Fayose’s fundamental human rights.
Ozekhome said the EFCC began investigating Fayose over two years ago and that he wondered why the agency would decide to hold him for over 24 hours.
He said the commission could not force Fayose to write any statement as he reserved the right to remain silent.
The senior advocate said any move to obtain a remand order would amount to illegality because the Supreme Court had made that clear.
The lawyer said since Fayose’s accounts had been frozen and his properties seized by the commission, there was nothing for the ex-governor to tell the EFCC as the matter was already in court.
Ozekhome added, “His lawyers will consider approaching the court for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights if he is not released on Thursday. Section 35 and 36 of the constitution are clear on this.
“He is not a flight risk. He willingly submitted himself to the EFCC even earlier than the time he was supposed to come. What the EFCC is doing is nothing but media trial.
from punch
I think there is a valid point in what Mike Ozekhome is saying. As a senior lawyer and a SAN, he clearly stated what the law says about it. What the EFCC is doing is what I don't understand. For over three years they have been stuking and gathering information about him to an extent of frozen his account even under immunity, seized his property and today they are still investigating.
ReplyDeleteI want to ask, so what have they been doing since? Even when they happily tweeted the parry is over shortly after PDP lost the state election. Are the EFCC trying to be the prosecutor and judge in their own case? Why always media trial. For three years haven't they gotten all information they need after trolling him as to charge him to court? So keeping him two weeks as for what to happen? To plead guilty of what they already assumed is his crime? EFCC should better stop all this nonsense, it doesn't portray the country in a good light.
I am glad kicks back is also a charge filed against him. Ganduje should get ready as well.
As usual you will spew trash.if you had any honour in you, you won't be commenting on Fayose's post after u ironically kept quiet on the post where his embezzlement was posted. As for his lawyer, if he has any issues, he should challenge the court order if it exists. Besides Fayose reported there with a back pack showing he was prepared to sleep over for as long as possible. Until you come to realise that these politicians you are supporting doesn't have your interest at heart, u will never be able to see beyond your nose.
Deleteanonymous shut up already and allow Teejay air his views. warahel always coming here to attack him. we all have a right on this blog. if u dont like what his opinion is the say yours and move on. trash cos he doesnt see things from your point of view? i dont always agree with teejay but i dont see why i should constantly be under his comments attacking him..get a life pls
DeleteDetain him for 2 wks for what? Is he running away, didn't he honour their invitation? Wizard hunting...
ReplyDeleteSocialmediaawardsng
To vote @stelladimokokorkus as BLOGGER OF THE YEAR
Text sma18 stella to 33352
The guy was a thief sha.
DeleteIf you know, you know
anon who no thief money for govt??? You sef you never steal before, even if it's meat from the pot. This is clear witch hunting
DeleteOnly two weeks? Criminal politicians should be in kirikiri during investigation. Fayose, abeg enjoy EFCC mini bedroom.
ReplyDeleteThat his 'EFCC I'm here' shirt will be smelly by now 🙊
ReplyDeleteThis EFCC is just useless set of people ooooo
ReplyDeleteI thought they should have finished their investigation before now.so u want to deten someone before u start investigating him
They just want to humiliate him. This smells of Buhari bitterness.
ReplyDelete