FAYOSE: Ekiti CJ Names Impeachment Panel On Tuesday-PM NEWS, Lagos
The days of Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State are numbered as the state Chief Judge Justice Bamidele this morning agreed to set up a 7-man panel to probe the allegations of financial impropriety levelled against him by the state lawmakers. Justice Bamisile, it was also gathered, has agreed to release the names of members of the panel next Tuesday. Disclosing this to P.M.News, the registrar of the state judiciary said the names of the 7-man investigative panel would be released to the public on Tuesday.The registrar revealed further that the chief judge was making consultations on those to be appointed into the panel. They are expected to be neutral as regards the political crisis rocking the state. They will examine the veracity of the allegations of fraud levelled against the governor. The 24 lawmakers yesterday sat and passed a motion calling on the state chief judge to set up a panel to probe the allegations levelled against Fayose, as required by the constitution. Immediately after passing the motion, the lawmakers rode back in a Toyota Coaster bus to where they had been staying since last week after they sent impeachment notices to the governor and his deputy.
Meanwhile, the embattled governor has appealed to the lawmakers not to subvert constitutional process. The governor attributed his current travails to his humble background and the fact that he had no political godfather. Fayose who addressed teachers at the Oluyemi Kayode stadium in Ado-Ekiti said: “If they are going to remove a governor, there is a due process. The due process says you must give me 14 days after serving the notice of impeachment. The notice has just been served me two days ago (Tuesday).
Saharareporters, Lagos
As the last crucial week approaches in Ekiti State impeachment processes against Governor Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti state indigenes and politicians have run into a major roadblock in form of continued resistance by Obasanjo against the impeachment of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Abiodun Olujimi along with Ayo Fayose.
This development leaves the 24 lawmakers spearheading the impeachment furious about the interference by the president. Contrary to public expectation of the need to remove both persons, equally accused of corruption, this strange request by the president, a source explained, was the main reason why Governor Fayose did not resign last week as expected.
Saharareporters was informed that the president had told PDP party leaders that he cannot leave Ekiti State in the hands of the opposition groups, hence his refusal to let go of Mrs. Olujimi in the impeachment process. It is being rumored that the president is also romantically involved with the Deputy Governor, with Governor Fayose escorting her over to Abuja to “see baba” from time to time.
The deputy governor, since assuming the position was accused by opposition groups of enriching herself. She currently owns a house worth N70 million in the Magodo GRA area of Lagos, owns two Petrol filling stations, she is also building a hotel and was specifically accused of collecting $50,000 on behalf of Governor Fayose from the owners of Biological Concepts Company accused of fraud by the EFCC.
Ekiti elites, human rights and pro-democracy groups have vowed that they will fight Obasanjo to a standstill on the issue of imposition of Mrs. Olujimi on Ekiti State indigenes. The 24 legislators are also said to be determined to impeach Fayose and his deputy by next week barring all circumstances.
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