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Tag: Fayose

  • Stomach infrastructure: Fayose feeds 150 detainees in EFCC custody

    Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on Monday, after being denied bail by Lagos Court, fed 150 detainees.
    Fayose also secured lawyers for some of the detainees that are in genuine need of legal representation.
    This was disclosed on Fayose’s official Twitter page.
    “Fayose took his Stomach Infrastructure to the EFCC office in Lagos today as he provided food for over 150 people (detainees and visitors).
    “The highly elated detainees jointly sang the National Anthem after their stomachs were adequately serviced.
    “Also, he has secured lawyers for some of the detainees that are in genuine need of legal representation and promised to assist those having challenges in meeting their bail conditions,” the tweet read.
    Fayose on Monday before a Federal High Court, Lagos, pleaded not guilty to the charge of N30.8 billion fraud.
    He is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside his company — Spotless Investment Ltd — on an 11-count charge of N30.8 billion fraud.
    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, consequently adjourned the case until Oct. 24 for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that he be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.
    According to the charge, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and Agbele were said to have taken possession of the sum of N1.2 billion for purposes of funding his gubernatorial election in Ekiti State which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.
    Fayose was alleged to have received a cash payment of the sum of five million dollars, (about N18 billion) from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution and which sum exceeded the amount allowed by law.

  • Fayose arraigned, pleads not guilty to N30.8bn fraud charge

    The immediate past Governor of Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose on Monday appeared before a Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged misappropriation of N30.8 billion.
    The embattled former governor appeared in court looking gloomy with a large number of supporters on hand, TheNewsGuru(TNG) reports.
     
    He pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge.
     
    Argument on his bail application is ongoing
     
    Details later….

  • Fayose still in EFCC’s custody

    Former Governor of Ekiti state, Mr Ayodele Fayose, who reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja on Tuesday, on the commission’s invitation, is still in its custody.
    But, the commission has declined comment on the issue, preferring the media await developments on it.
    Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr Wilson Uwajeren, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja that there was “nothing to report at the moment”.
    “If there is anything, I will get across to you,” he said.
    While reporting at the EFCC on Tuesday, Fayose had said that he was there to keep his promise to honour the commission’s invitation, and to respond to any allegation against him.
    The former governor, whose tenure ended on Monday, was accompanied to the EFCC by Rivers Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike and former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.
    He had at the commission’s office said “I am here in line with my promise that I will be here on the 16th of October.”
    A senior lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), had told NAN on Thursday that the EFCC had no right to keep Fayose beyond 24 hours without charging him.
    He said that it was either that the commission charged the former governor to court or free him so as not to foul the law.
    According to the human rights lawyer, the EFCC has no right to keep him for over 24 hours.
    He said “If they have done that by obtaining a Magistrate Court’s order that will be in the form of a holding charge, which has been declared unconstitutional and illegal by the Supreme Court.
    “Holding charge is illegal. It is unconstitutional.’’
    Ozekhome said that the section of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) permitting a magistrate to detain a suspect for 14 days was illegal.
    He explained that any action outside the provisions of Section 35 of the Constitution, which specifically provided for 24 hours, was illegal and unconstitutional.
    He said that the ACJA allowed for detention of a suspect for 14 days, but that Section 35 of the Constitution made it clear that a person could only be detained for 24 hours.
    “So, when there is a clash between the statute, like the ACJA, and the Constitution, the Constitution prevails by virtue of Section 1(3).
    “If they have gotten an order for two weeks from the magistrate court, it is unconstitutional,” Ozekhome stressed.
    He, however, disclosed that efforts had begun to secure the release of Fayose.
    According to Ozekhome, Fayose’s lawyers are already taking steps to enforce his fundamental human rights by getting him released.
    “Yes, his lawyers will go to court to enforce his fundamental human rights.”

  • EFCC charges Fayose, hotel with N1.3bn fraud

    Indications emerged on Saturday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed corruption charges against a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, and his hotel, Spotless Investment Limited.
    It was learnt that the EFCC filed the charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
    Fayose is accused of receiving about N1.3bn when he “ought to have known that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), the then National Security Adviser, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended in 2012) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”
    The former governor was accused of sending his aide, Abiodun Agbele, to receive about N1.3bn from a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, sometime in June 2014.
    The money was said to have emanated from Dasuki’s office.
    According to the EFCC, the N1.3bn was flown to Akure Airport and Obanikoro handed over the money to Agbele, who is also standing trial for corruption.
    The EFCC said officials of Zenith Bank arrived at the Akure Airport tarmac in a bullion van to convey all the cash to the bank’s vault located at 13, Alagbaka Estate, Akure.
    Attached as evidence are bank tellers Agbele allegedly gave as bank instructions at different times to pay in money into Fayose’s Zenith Bank account even after the elections.
    According to the commission, Agbele directed the bank to pay N137m into the account of Ayodele Fayose with number 1003126654 and Bank Verification Number 22338867502. The bank teller dated June 26, 2014, was filled by Agbele with teller number 0556814.
    Agbele also allegedly directed the bank to transfer N118,760,000 to the same account and paid in N50m cash into Fayose’s account.
    The commission said on April 7, 2015, several months later, Fayose personally moved N300m to his fixed deposit account at Zenith Bank with number 9013074033 with his same BVN.
    The account is domiciled at 15 Olusola Abiona Street, Estate, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos.
    According to the anti-graft agency, on the instruction of Fayose, Agbele deposited N100m to the account of Spotless Investment Limited, a hotel which is owned by Fayose and his wife, Olayemi.
    Fayose allegedly used part of the money to buy houses in Abuja and Lagos. The houses have since been seized while his bank accounts with a balance of N380m have been frozen.
    No date has been fixed for hearing.

  • How we'll secure Fayose's release from EFCC custody – Ozekhome

    Human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), said efforts had begun to secure release of former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, from Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody.
     
    Ozekhome said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday.
     
    Fayose, whose tenure as governor ended on Monday, had on Tuesday reported at the EFCC office in Abuja to answer to some allegations levelled against him while in office as governor.
     
    Ozekhome said “Fayose’s lawyers are already taking steps to enforce his fundamental human rights by getting him released.
     
    “Yes, his lawyers will go to court to enforce his fundamental human rights.
     
    “The EFCC has no right to keep him for over 24 hours.
     
    “If they have done that by obtaining a Magistrate Court’s Order that will be in the form of “holding charge” which has been declared unconstitutional and illegal by the Supreme Court.
     
    “Holding charge is illegal. It is unconstitutional.’’
     
    Ozekhome said that the section of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) permitting a magistrate to detain a suspect for 14 days was illegal.
     
    According to him, any action outside the provisions of Section 35 of the Constitution which specifically provides for 24 hours, is illegal and unconstitutional.
     
    He explained that the ACJA allowed for detention of a suspect for 14 days, but that Section 35 of the Constitution made it clear that a person could only be detained for 24 hours.
     
    “So, when there is a clash between the statute, like the ACJA, and the Constitution, the Constitution prevails by virtue of Section 1(3).
     
    “If they have gotten an order for two weeks from the magistrate court, it is unconstitutional,” Ozekhome stressed.
     
     

  • EFCC unveils buildings linked to Fayose as he spends second day in detention [Photos]

    Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, yesterday spent his second day in the custody of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with visitors barred from seeing him.
    Meanwhile the anti-graft agency has released photos of property allegedly acquired illegally by a former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose.
    This is in the course of the investigation of corruption allegations against the ex- governor.
    Fayose is under probe on the N1.3billion which he allegedly collected from the office of the National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki during the last administration.
    He surrendered himself to the EFCC on Tuesday in a dramatic manner, in the company of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, his counsel, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and hordes of supporters. He had gone there with a bag containing toothpaste and other personal needs.
    The EFCC confirmed on Wednesday that Fayose was still being detained after over 24 hours, saying, “we are still within range. We are not keeping him but interrogating him.”
    ‘Sources close to the Commission disclosed that he was not cooperating with the anti-graft agency’s interrogators.’ Sunnewsonline reports.
    Fayose was also said to have declined the bail offered him by the Commission, insisting on being taken to court. The former governor is being investigated for alleged money laundering to the tune of N4.6 billion, including N1.3 billion that he was said to have collected from former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki.
    Fayose, who is being detained at the Wuse office of the Commission, was not allowed to receive visitors even as a source claimed that no prominent Nigerian visited him.
    “Of course, he is not allowed to receive visitors. But even at that, no prominent person attempted to see him,” the source said. He said he did not know whether or not he sourced the food he ate yesterday or if he did not eat at all.
    He said: “The former governor was in his cell, except the periods he was called to face interrogators. He refused to answer questions; he refused to cooperate with our operatives. We are hoping that he changes his disposition in days to come.
    “It is shocking to us that a man who had boasted that he was willing to talk and clear his name when he arrived Abuja is not ready to speak up and clear his image. Many of the teams raised to interface with him have tried their best to make Fayose to talk but to no avail.”
    He said the EFCC has discovered all the properties Fayose allegedly used the money he collected from Dasuki to purchase in highbrow areas of Maitama, Abuja, as well as Lagos.
    In the case of Maitama, the address of the property, which is under construction, is Plot 1504 Yedzaram Street. A bold inscription “EFCC Keep Off” has been stamped on the gate of the house. He said that the former governor only spoke when pictures of the houses he was alleged to have purchased were shown to him. According to him, Fayose told them to take him to court.
    On whether EFCC was considering granting him administrative bail or charge him to court, the source, a top official of the Commission, said the former governor declined the bail offered him by the anti-graft body. Instead, he said he preferred to stay in the agency’s custody until he is taken to court.

    “He refused to answer questions, especially on the N1.219 billion he allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser, through the former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, during the build-up to the 2014 governorship election in the state,” the source said.
    The posers, which he said the EFCC wanted Fayose to provide answers, included: “What happened to the N1 billion, which was converted to $5.6 million and handed over to him at his (Fayose) Spotless Hotel, Ado-Ekiti, by a former minister of defence?
    “How did he expend the N1.219 billion that was withdrawn in Diamond Bank Lagos and flown by Gyro Airline to Akure, where it was handed over to Fayose’s associate, Abiodun Agbele, on the instruction of Fayose?
    “Respond to evidence that a N132 million kick-back received by Abiodun Agbele on behalf of his principal (Fayose) from one of the major contractors, Samchase Nigeria Limited, was transferred to Stillearth; Siqnachorr Integrated Ltd, Skye Bank and one Hajia Rabi Kundili for purchase of properties in Lagos and Abuja for Fayose and his sister, Moji Oladeji.”

  • Fayose still in our custody – EFCC

    Former Governor of Ekiti state, Mr Ayodele Fayose, who on Tuesday reported at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja in accordance with his promise is still being interrogated by the commission.
    READ: EFCC unveils buildings linked to Fayose as he spends second day in detention [photos]
    Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
    Asked why Fayose was still detained for over 24 hours, Uwujaren said “we are still within range. We are not keeping him but interrogating him.”
    Fayose’s tenure as governor ended on Monday, and he had on Saturday, presented “Hand-over Note’’ to his successor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who was inaugurated on Tuesday.
    On arrival at EFCC office, the former governor had said “I am here in line with my promise that I will be here on the 16th of October.
    “And, like I said to EFCC, they should await my arrival. They had been to my house; they cordoned off my street which I feel personally was unnecessary. It is unwarranted.
    “I had led Ekiti, and the best I could give, I have given. Therefore, every question, whatever they need to ask, I will be able to respond appropriately.”
    He had in a letter to the EFCC sometime ago, said his term of office “to which I enjoy immunity against investigation and prosecution shall lapse by Monday, Oct. 15, 2018.
    “As a responsible citizen of our great country, who believes in the rule of law, I wish to inform you of my decision to make myself available in your office on Tuesday, 16th October, 2018 at 1pm.
    “It is to clarify issues or answer questions within my knowledge.’’

  • Alleged corruption: EFCC obtains court order to detain Fayose for two weeks

    …as ex-gov threatens to sue anti-graft agency

    Indications emerged on Wednesday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained a remand order from a Federal Capital Territory High Court to keep former Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State for two weeks.

    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 said 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), insisted 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 the way they have been chasing Fayose in the last three years, one would have expected that the EFCC would have completed its investigations and would arrest him immediately his tenure expires and charge him the next day but that is not the case.

    “They want him to write a statement by force and then use the statement against him instead of using their own evidence.”

     

  • EFCC detains Fayose as ex-gov denies receiving N1.3bn from Dasuki, Obanikoro

    The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose on Tuesday honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after the completion of his tenure and consequently losing his immunity from prosecution and arrest.
    After leading Fayose to the interrogation room, it was learnt that he was asked to write a statement explaining how he spent N1.3bn he allegedly received 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.
    The commission also asked him to return the money.
    A source at the EFCC, however said the former governor refused to admit to collecting the money.
    He said, “We have treated Fayose with respect since he arrived in our office. We asked him about the money he received from Obanikoro and when he would return it but he is denying everything.
    “He said in his statement on oath that he never received any money despite the overwhelming evidence. The man is refusing to cooperate despite the overwhelming evidence we have.”
    It was learnt that as of 7 pm on Tuesday, the former governor was still writing his statement.
    The funds allegedly traced to Fayose were said to be part of the N4.7bn allegedly handed to Obanikoro by the then National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.)
    While about N1.3bn was given to Fayose, another N1.3bn was also handed over to the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State in 2014, Senator Iyiola Omisore.
    The funds were said to have been transported from Lagos to Ekiti State by air.
    Since the investigation began in 2015, the EFCC has interrogated over 20 persons.
    Apart from Obanikoro and Omisore, others interrogated by the EFCC include Captain Ahmed Borodo, the pilot whose plane was allegedly chartered by Obanikoro; Aide-de-Camp to Obanikoro, Lt. Olumide Adewale; and Fayose’s aide, Abiodun Agbele (who is standing trial for allegedly receiving the funds on behalf of Fayose).
    Others interrogated include bureau de change operators and senior bank executives.
    “Despite the statements made by all these people indicating that Fayose received money, the man is still denying the allegations,” an EFCC detective said.
    However, Fayose’s lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), said Fayose would not compromise himself in the name of administrative bail.
    Ozekhome said Fayose’s accounts had already been frozen by the commission and was already in court over the matter.
    On whether Fayose would return the money as demanded by the EFCC, Ozekhome said, “Which money are they saying he should return? Has he said any money is with him? They won’t dare tell him to return the money.
    “Fayose is not like other Nigerians that the EFCC will bamboozle and force and blackmail to make refunds. Why tell a man to refund the money he has not admitted to receiving when the matter is in court?
    “If they offer him an administrative bail with no strings attached, which is not a Greek gift, then he should take it.”
    Earlier in the day, before entering the EFCC premises, Fayose and scores of his supporters had created a scene at the entrance of the commission.
    Fayose, who wore a blue shirt with the inscription, ‘EFCC, I am here’, and a blue pair of trousers with a blue face-cap to match, arrived at the Tunde Idiagbon House, Wuse 2, which is the former headquarters of the EFCC, around 1 pm.
    The former governor, who clutched a backpack and a small duffel bag, was accompanied by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), and several of his aides and supporters.
    Addressing reporters before making his way into the EFCC, Fayose said, “I am here in line with my promise that I will be here on the October 16.
    “And, as I said to the EFCC, they should await my arrival. This morning, they have been to my house; they cordoned off my street, which I feel was unnecessary. It was unwarranted.
    “When a man says he is coming, Nigerians should be given benefit of the doubt.
    “I had led Ekiti, and the best I could give, I have given. Therefore, every question, whatever they need to ask today, I will be able to respond appropriately.”
    Also speaking, Governor Wike said he accompanied Fayose in order to warn the EFCC to respect his rights.
    Wike added, “He wrote a letter to the EFCC that he will submit himself on October 16. He is hale and hearty and I believe that EFCC should know he is well. Our fear from the present report that we have is that he may be harmed.
    “But, let Nigerians know that he came by himself to the EFCC without anybody harassing him. So, that is why I brought him here today.”
    In his remarks, Fani-Kayode said the EFCC should remember that their actions were being monitored by the international community and they should not abuse Fayose’s rights.
    Ozekhome asked the EFCC not to keep Fayose for more than 24 hours as failure to release him would be an abuse of his rights.

  • Fayemi describes Fayose’s administration an 'error', vows to probe ex-gov

    Fayemi describes Fayose’s administration an 'error', vows to probe ex-gov

    …names SSG, CoS, CPS
     
    The Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress, has said the arrival of his government marks the end of the past administration which he described as an “error”.
     
    The state Chief Judge, Ayodeji Daramola, administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on Fayemi at about 12:20 pm. Fayemi’s deputy, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, had earlier taken his oath at about 12:07 pm.
     
    The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Fayemi as the winner of the July 14 governorship election.
     
    The results indicated that Fayemi polled 197,459 votes while his closest rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, got 178,121 votes.
     
    Fayemi noted that his government would review the financial status of the state with a rising debt, which he put at N170bn under the PDP-led government of Governor Ayodele Fayose.
     
    Fayose had repeatedly denied borrowing money claiming the state’s debt was incurred by the previous government of Fayemi during his first term.
     
    The governor said, “As much as today marks the beginning of a new phase in our history as a people, it also signals the end of an era, or more appropriately, the end of an error. Without a doubt, Ekiti has been through a terrible wilderness experience within the last four years,” he said.
     
    “Our reputation as a people has been soiled and we have become the pot of jokes due to the ineptitude, loquacious ignorance and ravenous corruption masquerading as governance in our state during the last administration.
     
    “As we assume office, it is our duty, and we will live up to it, to ensure we thoroughly review, document, and widely disseminate the present state of affairs so that all and sundry can know what has become of our commonwealth.
     
    “Independently verifiable preliminary findings indicate that we have been plunged into a debt abyss of over N170bn, with commitments to innumerable white elephants, an average of eight months’ salaries owed across government entities, and many state assets unaccounted for.”
     
    “We will ensure that within 100 days from today, Ekiti Kete will know the true position of things, in keeping with our ethos of transparency and accountability in governance. We are not interested in trials by media, witch hunt or playing to the gallery. We will seek out the truth and lay it before our people.”
     
    The former Minister stated that Ekiti under him won’t degenerate to the level of allowing schoolchildren to pay various taxes in their quests to receive a formal education.
     
    He promised that his government would reinstate the N5,000 social security to the elderly and make tremendous positive impacts in the areas of agriculture, social investment and economy.
     
    “In the last four years, Ekiti was governed by a rudderless, inept and egregiously corrupt government, which was led by those who deceived our people through the instrument of stomach infrastructure.
     
    “In this context, never again will Ekiti slip into the hands of those who knew nothing about governance, never again shall we allow our schoolchildren to pay taxes, never again shall we abandon the burgeoning resources at Ikogosi Warm Spring to waste, never again shall we allow our judiciary to be debased by draconian government and never again shall the most educated State like Ekiti be the apostle of stomach infrastructure that has made us a laughing stock .
     
    “In our quests for economic rejuvenation, our government shall invest heavily in youths in commercial agriculture, because Ekiti is basically agrarian, reactivate community-based projects, tap into our tourist potential and ensure the security of local and foreign investors.
     
    “As of today, the debt profile and other financial commitment hanging on the state look challenging, but with your support, we shall overcome. The light shall shine again. We shall celebrate our core values of scholarship, knowledge, hard work, unity and strong characters bequeathed to us by our founding fathers.
     
    “We appreciate our fathers who fought for the creation of this state in 1996 and I want to assure them that we shall keep the flag flying and make sure we don’t disappoint them by fulfilling their dreams and aspirations within the next four years.
     
    “We shall network with the Federal Government and other local and international bodies to bring dividends of democracy Ekiti people deserve to their doorsteps,” Fayemi assured.
     
    Speaking at the event, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed confidence that Fayemi would bring the desired change in the state.
     
    He said, “I know Dr Fayemi very well, he has always cherished anything that has to do with the development of this state. As Ekiti Governor between 2010 and 2014, he instituted some laudable projects that impacted positively on the lives of the people and this pavilion was one of them.
     
    “I know that he will do what is right to justify this mandate. I charge him not to relent in his efforts to serve Ekiti with passion, commitment and candour.”
     
    Buhari, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, revealed that Fayemi as a former member of the Federal Executive Council had persistently been disturbing him about the development of the state.
     
    He added that his administration would continue with its support to Ekiti.
     
    Buhari said, “The Federal Government has given support to states in the areas of bailouts, budget support, ecological funds and Paris Club Refund, of which Ekiti was a beneficiary.
     
    “We have extended the standard rail project to Ekiti and the construction of the Federal Secretariat will soon be completed. The Federal Government is also planning to dualise Ado-Akure Road and reconstruct Ado-Ikare Road for the use of our people. We have also built another 133kva power source in Ekiti that will be opened soon.
     
    “As of today, 11,000 Ekiti indigenes are benefiting from the N-power programme of this administration.
     
    “We are confident that Dr Fayemi will help cover the lost grounds brought by the past administration. From today, you will begin to have a new breath in Ekiti under the present government.”
     
    Meanwhile, the governor shortly after his swearing in ceremony announced his first set of appointments.
     
    In a statement released Tuesday evening, the governor named Mr Abiodun Oyebanji as Secretary to the State Government.
     
    The governor also appointed Mr Biodun Omoleye as the Chief of Staff and Mr Yinka Oyebode as Chief Press Secretary.
     
    Oyebanji, a former university lecturer, had previously served as Chief of Staff during the administration of Otunba Niyi Adebayo, and was Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning during Fayemi’s first term.
     
    Omoleye, a former university administrator and former Chairman of Ijero Local Government Area, had also served as Special Adviser in the Governor’s Office.
     
    Oyebode, a seasoned journalist, served as CPS to the governor in his first term.
     
    He later served as Special Adviser on Media to him when he was Minister of Mines and Steel Development.
     
    “The appointments are with immediate effect,” the statement said.
    Recall that Fayemi was sworn-in on Tuesday after the expiration of the former, Ayodele Fayose.