Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Femi Falana, has again taken a swipe at Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, saying he would not escape justice over the controversy surrounding the freezing of the governor’s bank accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Mr. Falana stressed that all explanations given by the governor after his account was frozen were in violation of various sections of the electoral and money laundering acts.
This is just as he dismissed the claim of immunity by Mr. Fayose, asserting that there is nothing like absolute immunity for governors and president.
According to the SAN, immunity does not apply to election fraud, money laundering or crime against humanity.
He spoke in Benin City, the Edo State capital yesterday while delivering the 60th birthday lecture of the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.
On the explanation by Governor Fayose that Zenith Bank funded his election, Falana noted that the financial institution violated Section 90 of the Electoral Act.
He argued that by refusing to deny the governor’s claim, the bank has admitted to stealing depositors’ fund to sponsor the election of an individual.
Mr. Falana, who spoke on “The limit of executive immunity”, also called on Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, to face the forgery charges against them rather than playing politics with the issue.
“The senate is now politicising the issue, saying it is political victimisation but not that the offence was not committed.
“As leaders of the National Assembly, you are supposed to be above board and that is even the more reason you must be careful.
“But I want to remind the senate that the Attorney General of the Federation is only answerable to his boss, which is the President and not body else.
“The same thing applies to the states. So there is no longer absolute immunity in this country”, Falana stated.
In his remarks, Governor Adams Oshiomhole eulogised the qualities of the celebrant, noting that Prof. Ihonvbere was always available during political strategies.
