Fayose’s accounts remain frozen as court adjourns to Sept 30

The Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti yesterday adjourned hearing till September 30, in the case instituted by Ekiti state Governor Ayodele Fayose against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the freezing of his two accounts domiciled at the Ado Ekiti branch of Zenith Bank.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo gave the new date on the request of Fayose’s counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), to enable him study and respond to issues raised by the EFCC in its reply to a motion on notice dated 23rd June, 2016 wherein the applicant sought an order lifting the restriction placed on Fayose’s accounts with the bank.

Counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo had filed a 10-paragraph counteraffidavit with a lone exhibit.

The EFCC counsel further said that the agency had on the 29th of June received an order of the court directing the commission to appear and show why a mandatory order being asked by Fayose should not be granted to unfreeze the two accounts.

This was supported with 10-paragraph affidavit with nine different exhibits marked EFCC 01-09. He said that the plaintiff and the 2nd respondent had been duly served.

The court had on June 28 ordered the EFCC and the Zenith Bank to appear before it and show cause why Fayose’s restricted accounts in the bank should not be lifted.

Fayose had in an ex- parte motion deposed to by Bimpe Olatemiju prayed the court to grant a mandatory order lifting the ban placed on the said accounts, describing the EFCC’s action as an infraction and brazen infringement on absolute immunity conferred on Fayose by Section 308 of the 1999 constitution.