From: WOLE BALOGUN, Ado-Ekiti
The Ekiti State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, imposed a N1 million fine on former governor of the state and current Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, for failing to honour the invitation given to him by the House to answer some allegations of fraud against him.
The House also sent a letter to remind the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, about an existing Warrant of Arrest on Fayemi.
Chairman of the House Committee on Information , Samuel Omotosho, while addressing journalists after the plenary session at the Assembly complex said: “Arising from the plenary Session of the 5th Ekiti State House of Assembly today Tuesday 11 April 2017, this house passed the following resolutions: That a reminder letter be written to the Nigeria Police Force through the IGP to effect the warrant issued by this honourable house and arrest Dr Kayode Fayemi with immediate effect, that the sum of 1M Naira been the cost incurred by this house during the activities surrounding his invitations be imposed on Dr Kayode Fayemi as a fine to serve as deterents to future heady elements and bullies of democracy.
” It’s is Public knowledge that this honourable house invited the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr John Kayode Fayemi at three consecutive times spanning a period of one year; the first invitation being March 10th 2016, second was November 29th 2016 and third was February 2nd 2017.
Omotosho, who gave sections of the Nigerian Constitution which empowers the Assembly to impose an fine on Fayemi, explained further the rationale behind the fine.
He continued, “Rather than attend to these invitations by the EKHA as empowered by section 129, 1c, of the constiturion of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and come to the Assembly to explain himself on allegations of corruption and abuse of office levied against him by the executive arm of Government, Dr Fayemi prefers to play to the gallery.
” He shadow boxed himself by putting his face at the laws of our land, thus constituting a serious affront and threat to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
Section 129, 1c, of the constitution of the FRN granted us express powers to invite anybody for informations and clarifications, especially on matters of evidence.
” This same constitution bearing in mind some heady elements and bullies of democracy also empowered this house under section 129,1d, to issue warrant to compel the attendance of such lawbreakers.
” This we have done and Dr Fayemi was officially declared wanted on February 7th 2017 and the police was adequately communicated through the IGP to effect his arrest forthwith.
” Up till this moment the police has failed to carry out their constitutional duties as confer by the 1999 constitution of the FRN.
” This breach of the law of the land is one too many on the part of Dr John Kayode Fayemi and stands condemned by this house and all lovers of democracy and the rule of law.
” Going from the above, this house today officially declare the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi as a law breaker and in exercising our powers under section 129,1d, of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria hereby impose a fine of 1M against Dr Fayemi and payable to the EKHA.
” Section 129, 1d, says and I quote… order him to pay all cost which may have been occasioned in compelling his attendance or by reason of his failure, refusal or neglect to obey the summons and also to impose such fine as may be prescribed for any such failure, refusal or neglect, and any fine so imposed shall be recoverable in the same manner as a fine imposed by a court of law
” As it stands today, Dr. Fayemi is a wanted man in Nigeria. He has also been declared as a law-breaker by the EKHA, by disobeying the constitution of the land and Fine of a sum of 1M Naira as allowed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
” Therefore the APC led FG must reverse these rapes of Democratic values that’s fast becoming a past time of their tenure in office.
We wish to reiterate our commitment to democratic tenets and the rule of law and we will do everything possible to ensure accountability in Ekiti State .”