Ekiti officials withdraw N1b cash in two days    12/3/2009
     

By Dele Adeyanju, Staff Correspondent


[b]About N1billion was withdrawn within two days from the Ekiti State Government’s account with a new generation bank after the Appeal Court verdict ousting former Governor Olusegun Oni, it was learnt yesterday.
The money was moved by top government officials from account number 005600500000578, at the state capital branch of the bank, it was learnt.

The transaction was between February 18 and 19. The Appeal Court removed Oni on February 17.[/b]The purpose of the withdrawal by a Finance official and another was not known yesterday; the bank could not be reached for comments.

Another N1billion, it was learnt was withdrawn from the same account on November 22 and December 19, last year.

[b]Activist lawyer and Ekiti indigene Morakinyo Ogele yesterday challenged the bankers to name the signatories to the account within seven days or risk being reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Ogele, the National Coordinator of the Ekiti Democratic Coalition Alliance (EDCA), said every kobo taken from the state treasury would be recovered through legitimate means, urging all those who looted the treasury to return the loot or face the law.[/b]He said EDCA had uncovered what he called a "monumental fraud" allegedly perpetrated by the ousted administration.

Ogele said: "It should be noted that we have been complaining that the looting by the administration is unprecedented in Ekiti State.

"We are calling on the manager of a major bank to furnish the public with the names of signatories to account number 005600500000578 within seven days or risk being reported to EFCC".

On Tuesday, Oni challenged those who petitioned EFCC that he is corrupt to swear to an affidavit to support their allegation.

He said his loss of immunity after the Appeal Court verdict should encourage his critics to substantiate their claim.

Urging the people not to listen to what he called "beer parlour rumours" about the looting of the treasury under him, Oni said:

"The lawyer should also swear to an affidavit that if the allegation is false, he will be ready to go to jail for perjury. Right now, I don’t have immunity and I am not bothered by what they are saying whether they say it is N27 billion or N48 billion."

             


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Thugs attack activist 12/3/2009


National President of the Integrity Youth Movement (IYM) Dr Tayo Komolafe yesterday alleged that he was attacked at about 7.30 am in Ado-Ekiti by thugs.

He said he was returning from a meeting when the assailants attacked him.

He said the suspects who rode in a blue Toyota car, with four occupants, said they were attacking him because the IYM is sympathetic to the Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in the re-run.

Komolafe, who was stabbed on the leg and arm, said the IYM would not compromise its stance that the truth must prevail.

He said he was saved by okada riders and residents who mobilised to the scene and forced his attackers to flee.

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