Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, is currently undergoing interrogation at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) zonal command office in Ilorin, Kwara State. The investigation revolves around allegations of money laundering amounting to N4 billion, according to reliable sources.
Fayemi arrived at the EFCC facility at approximately 9:40 am on Thursday, In May 2023, The PUNCH previously highlighted how Fayemi, through his lawyer Adeola Omotunde, SAN, requested the EFCC to permit him to present a book in honor of former President Muhammadu Buhari on May 19, prior to attending the agency’s invitation for questioning related to money laundering accusations.
An unnamed source confirmed the ongoing interrogation, stating, “Fayemi arrived at our Kwara command office at about 9:40 am today. Our operatives are currently questioning him regarding alleged misappropriation of N4 billion.” Another source mentioned that it remains uncertain whether Fayemi would be released on the same day or detained. Additionally, the source indicated that Fayemi is not the sole former governor currently under investigation by the commission.
When contacted by our correspondent, the spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, Wilson Uwujaren, said he couldn’t speak concerning the development.
“I can’t speak concerning that, please,” Uwujaren said.
Meanwhile, The PUNCH reports that in a letter dated May 12, which was obtained by our correspondent, the EFCC had asked the ex-Ekiti governor to appear before the head of its zonal command office in Kwara, Nigeria’s North-Central, to answer questions bordering on money laundering activities.
According to the letter issued by its zonal commander Micheal Nzekwe, the EFCC requested that Mr Fayemi appears before it on May 18.
The letter reads, “The commission is investigating a case of money laundering in which the need to seek certain clarifications from you has become imperative.
“In view of this, you’re kindly requested to come for an interview with the undersigned through the Head, Economic Governance section. Thursday, May 18, 2023. No. 10 Oko close, off station road, GRA, Ilorin, Kwara State. Time: 10: 00 hours.”
But in a follow-up letter through his legal counsel, Adeola Omotunde, SAN, dated May 15, which was sighted by our correspondent, Fayemi said he was one of the organisers and reviewer of one of the books published in Buhari’s honour.
In response to the EFCC’s letter of invitation dated May 12, 2023, regarding an appointment on Thursday, May 18, 2023, Mr. Fayemi’s lawyer acknowledged receipt and provided an explanation.
The lawyer’s letter stated, “Our client is in receipt of your letter of invitation dated 12th May 2023 for an appointment on Thursday, 18th of May, 2023. Our client is engaged on the 18th day of May 2023 as he is preparing for a public presentation and launching of two new books in honor of President Muhammadu Buhari.”
The letter further explained, “Our client is one of the organizers of the program and will review one of the books. Our client has also committed himself to other programs between May 19, 2023, and May 24, 2023, before he received your invitation. We regret to inform you that our client will not be able to honor your invitation on the 18th May 2023 against the backdrop of the foregoing information.”
The lawyer highlighted that Mr. Fayemi’s involvement in the book presentation and other pre-scheduled commitments prevents him from attending the EFCC’s invitation on the specified date.
Our correspondent was unable to reach Fayemi’s lawyer on Thursday as the provided phone number from the letter was unavailable.
In related news, apart from Fayemi, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that it is conducting an investigation into the former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, regarding allegations of corruption, the award of fictitious contracts, and the diversion of over N70 billion.
The EFCC deemed it necessary to make this information public in response to recent attempts by the outgoing governor to undermine the agency’s integrity in its fight against corruption. Osita Nwajah, the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the EFCC, spoke on behalf of the Chairman of the agency, Abdulrasheed Bawa, and made this announcement in May during a press briefing held at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
Nwajah expressed, “It is quite interesting that Matawalle is attempting to assume the role of a supervisor, dictating to the EFCC whom to investigate. Is this a case of a ‘thief’ insisting that he should not be touched until other ‘thieves’ are apprehended?”
“The crux of the matter with Matawalle is that he is currently under investigation by the EFCC for allegations of massive corruption, fraudulent awarding of contracts, and diversion of over N70 billion.”
“The funds, which were obtained as a loan from an old-generation bank supposedly for the execution of projects across the state’s local government areas, were allegedly diverted by the governor through intermediaries and contractors who received payments for contracts that were never carried out.”
“During the commission’s investigations, it was discovered that over 100 companies had received payments from these funds without any evidence of services rendered to the state. Some of the contractors, who were summoned and interrogated by the commission, revealed shocking details of how they were allegedly compelled by the governor to return the funds received from the state treasury in the form of United States dollars, after converting the money through his aides.”
“They confirmed that they did not provide any services to Zamfara State but were instructed to convert the funds paid to them into US dollars and return it to the state governor through certain commissioners, particularly the commissioners in charge of Finance and Local Government Affairs.”
Nwajah mentioned that one of the involved contractors, a well-known property developer in Abuja, received N6 billion for a N10 billion contract without rendering any service to Zamfara State.
He further explained that another contractor received over N3 billion for a medical equipment supply contract, but the commission traced a payment of N400 million from the contractor’s account to a Bureau de Change operator. The contractor confessed that the payment was intended to procure the dollar equivalent for the state governor.
“As part of the extensive investigation into contracts awarded by the Matawalle administration, particularly for fictitious projects in the local government areas, the commission has recovered the sum of N300 million from a company called Fezel Nigeria Limited. The funds were traced to the Zamfara Investment Company.”
“The EFCC’s investigation has caused apprehension in the Government House, Gusau, with the governor being deeply concerned about his fate once he steps down from office on May 29.”
“In Nigeria, state governors and their deputies are immune from criminal prosecution while in office, which is why the EFCC has not yet arrested Governor Matawalle,” he added.
The EFCC is also conducting an investigation into a former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on allegations of corruption, including the ownership of 14 properties in Nigeria and abroad, as well as the possession of N400 million.
“The properties, including the Hotel Apartment Community, Burj Khalifa, located at Plot 160 Municipality No 345-7562, Sky View Building No 1, Property No 401, Floor 4, Dubai U.A.E., are suspected to have been derived from illicit activities,” stated the anti-graft agency in a statement obtained by our correspondent in May.
