Just less than four weeks to handing over to Governor-Elect Kayode Fayemi, the incumbent Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with a promise to submit himself to the anti-graft agency less than 24 hours after leaving office.
There have been speculations that the governor plans to travel out of the country before his tenure expires in order to avoid arrest and prosecution over alleged corruption.
But in a letter he personally signed on Wednesday and addressed to the EFCC, Fayose said he would surrender himself on October 16, the last day of his tenure.
Fayose explained that his decision to make himself available to the EFCC was to clarify issues or answer questions on issues within his knowledge.
He said his desire to submit to the commission was consequent upon several and serial actions of the commission for some time now.
These, he said included but not limited to freezing of his accounts and attempts to secure temporary forfeiture of his properties.
The governor said these were indicative of the commission’s desire to have him clarify some issues or answer some questions, but for the immunity he enjoyed under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution as a serving governor.
“I wish to inform you that my term of office pursuant to which I enjoy immunity against investigation and prosecution under the above provision shall lapse by effluxion of time on Monday, 15th October 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 to clarify issues or answer questions within my knowledge.
“Kindly confirm the suitability of the above date or indicate by return, the commission’s convenient date,” the letter read in part.
The EFCC had once frozen Fayose’s two bank accounts, but a court described the action as illegal because of the immunity he enjoyed as a sitting governor.
Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will on October 16 handover to Governor-elect Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
