Fayemi reportedly arrived at the EFCC office at about 9:40 am on Thursday.
Kayode Fayemi, a former governor of Ekiti State, is being grilled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the alleged misappropriation of N4 billion.
The ex-governor is being interrogated at the zonal command of the anti-graft agency in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, The PUNCH reports.
Fayemi reportedly arrived at the EFCC office at about 9:40 am on Thursday.
“I’m not sure whether he’d be released today or detained. However, he’s not the only former governor that’s currently being probed by the commission,” a source told the newspaper.
On May 17, SaharaReporters reported Fayemi’s attempt to avoid going to the office of the anti-graft agency after he was summoned.
The former governor pleaded with the commission to allow him to present a book in honour of the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, on May 19, before honouring the invitation.
According to a letter dated May 12, the EFCC requested that the former governor should appear before the head of its zonal command office in Kwara State to answer questions about money laundering activities.
The EFCC requested that Fayemi should appear on May 18 in a letter issued by its zone commander, Micheal Nzekwe.
The letter addressed to Fayemi, dated May 12, read, “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.”
However, in a follow-up letter dated May 15, the ex-governor stated that he was one of the organisers and reviewers of one of the books published in Buhari's honour.
“Our client is in receipt of your letter of invitation dated 12th May 2023 for an appointment on Thursday, 18th of May, 2023,” Fayemi’s lawyer had noted.
The letter reads, “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 honour of President Muhammadu Buhari, titled: ‘State of Repair: How President Muhammad Buhari Tried to Change Nigeria For Good’ by Anthony Goldman and ‘The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari’ by Abu Ibrahim slated for 19th May 2023 at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja by 10:00 a.m.
“Our client is one of the organisers of the programme 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 honour your invitation on the 18th May 2023 against the backdrop of the foregoing information.”
SaharaReporters had exclusively reported how Fayemi had been lobbying for appointment in the cabinet of President Tinubu.
The former governor, according to multiple sources, was ‘hustling’ to be the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
However, the move was said to have been rejected by Tinubu despite appeals and pressure from some then governors including Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Mohammed Badaru of Jigawa State.
“He (Fayemi) has asked Governor Wike, Governor Badaru and others to pressure Tinubu to give him a ministerial slot as foreign affairs minister but it was rejected by the incoming president.
“Tinubu snubbed him, saying he’s not the only person from Ekiti State,” a source had told SaharaReporters.
SaharaReporters had reported that the reason why Fayemi recently begged the EFCC to allow him to move his invitation date was that he heard that Tinubu would announce his cabinet before May 30, 2023, and he believed his inclusion would help him fend off the anti-graft agency.
“The reason Fayemi was begging EFCC for more time was because he heard Tinubu would announce his cabinet before the 30th of May,” a source close to Tinubu had told SaharaReporters.