The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to put the outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on its watch list to prevent him from leaving the country.
The acting chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Magu, communicated this in a letter sent to NCS on September 12.
He said in the letter that the governor is being investigated and might be a flight risk if not monitored closely.
Following this request, NCS has directed all its operatives to immediately report if Fayose is sighted trying to leave the country ether by air, land or sea.
Fayose would cease to be addressed as a governor and hence no longer be covered by immunity on October 16, when he would hand over to Kayode Fayemi, the former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, the Ekiti governor-elect.
Although Fayose has expressed willingness to the anti-graft agency to visit ta office immediately he handed over on October 16 but in a response to the governor’s letter, EFCC asked that the visit on September 20 instead.
The commission also promised not to violate the immunity of the governor should he make himself available before the expiration of his tenure.
Magi said in the letter seeking to put Fayose on watchlist: “the under listed suspect is under investigation in connection with the above-mentioned offences and there is reasonable suspicion suggesting that he may likely leave the country either through the land borders, airports, seaports in order to evade investigation. Hence, you are requested to watch-list and arrest him.
“You are further requested to contact the commission through the following numbers in the event of his arrest. Name of the suspect: Fayose Ayodele Peter, Address: Ekiti State Government House, Ekiti State.”
The NCS in a letter, dated September 14, to its zonal coordinators, Customs area controllers, granted the request.
“Consequently, you are requested to monitor the suspect and report to the EFCC through the provided contact details if sighted,” NCS said
However, Fayose in a press statement released by his press secretary, Idowu Adelusi, on Sunday, he described putting his name on watchlist as political and petty.
The statement read, “EFCC, when a woman is being brought to you as a wife, you don’t have to peep through the window to see her. As I said in my letter, Insha Allah, I will be in your office on October 16, a day after the expiration of my tenure.
“Putting my name on a watch list after notification of my coming is not only political but petty. I’m not among those who are afraid to face tomorrow. Nobody is God. They should expect me on October 16, 2018. I will remain in the PDP not minding their intimidation.”
