Court orders Fayose to pay sacked Fayemi’s commissioners N234m

The National Industrial Court yesterday ordered Ekiti state Governor Ayo Fayose to pay over N234 million to chairmen and members of statutory commissions he removed from office on assumption when their tenures were still running.

On assumption of office in October 2014, Fayose had sacked members of the State Independent National Electoral Commission (SIEC), Civil Service Commission (CSC), House of Assembly Service Commission (HASC) and Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) appointed and sworn into office by former Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Angered by Fayose’s action, the sacked officials sued the governor.

The plaintiffs are Mrs Cecilia Adelusi, Chief Gbenga Agbona, Chief O.K. Aina, Mr. Dele Oloje of SIEC; Chief Ranti Adebisi, Chief Reuben Akomolafe, Princess Omotunde Adelabu, Mr. Kola Fakiyesi, Mrs. Dupe Bakare and Mr. Olorunfemi Babalola of LGSC. Others are Alhaji Aflabi Ogunlayi, Elder Segun Bankole, Mrs. Kemisola Olaleye, Elder Yemi Alade and Chief Sesan Fatoba of CSC; Chief George Ojo, Chief Esan Abejide, Mr. Foluso Ibirinde, Mr. Bayo Akinola and Mr. Kupolati Olaiyan of HASC.

Through their lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), the affected officials hinged their prayers on grounds that the tenure of their appointment was statutory.

In a copy of the judgment made available to journalists yesterday in Ado Ekiti, Justice Oyeyibola Oyewumi described Fayose’s action illegal and “executive rascality” and ordered him to pay the plaintiffs a total sum of N234, 010, 982.24 for terminating their appointments on October 20, 2014.