konknaijaboy | On 23, Jun 2014

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has described as false, media reports that it had dropped corruption case against the governor-elect of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

The Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, on Monday said that the recent election of Fayose had not affected the ongoing trial of the former Ekiti State Governor for alleged corruption.

Uwujaren insisted that the case was still ongoing at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

He noted that the case would come up for hearing at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, on July 15, 2014.

The EFCC spokesman added that the immunity clause only provided a cover from prosecution for the President, the Vice President, sitting governors and their deputies and not a governor-elect.

His words: “The EFCC has not dropped the case against the former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

“The trial is still going on; it is continuing at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti. In fact further hearing comes up on July 15, 2014.

“As you know, immunity from prosecution applies only to the President, the Vice President, sitting governors and their deputies”.

Uwujaren added that the case against Fayose, who is expected to be sworn-in as Governor of Ekiti State come October, has made substantial progress as the commission had called two witnesses to testify in the case.

Uwujaren also said that the issue of whether the case against the governor-elect would be withdrawn or not when he finally takes oath of office as governor was a matter for the court to decide.

“It is the court that would decide whether the case would be discontinued or not; all arguments will be canvassed in court and it is the court that would decide”, he said.

Fayemi: I’ll Not Challenge Election Result

The outgoing governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Monday, said he would not challenge the result of the June 21 governorship election in the state.

Fayemi, who made the disclosure when he received the governor-elect, Mr Ayo Fayose, in his office in Ado Ekiti, said “I will not challenge the result of the election because I am not desperate to remain in office.

“Election must not be seen as a do or die affair”.

He said Fayose’s victory had assisted in “strengthen and deepening” democracy, especially in Ekiti State and the country at large.

He said, “Election by its nature generate tension and hot exchange of words, but to me, once the whole exercise is over, all those involved should take such with calmness and stop all acrimonious.

“It is my belief that we must all start imbibing attitude that will make us avoid activities that can threaten our peaceful co-existence. We must also avoid the bad loser syndrome.

“I believe we need to build this democracy to a mature end, rather than pull it down”.

Fayemi promised not to be distracted by the defeat, saying he would continue to work for the people of the state until Oct. 15 when he would hand over to Fayose.

Earlier, Fayose had commended the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by Fayemi, describing his acceptance of defeat without question as “quite un-African”.

Fayose called on Nigerian politicians to emulate the good virtues of Fayemi.

The duo later went into closed-door meeting.