Ekiti assembly fines Fayemi N1m for shunning summon

The Ekiti state house of assembly has imposed one million naira fine on former governor Kayode Fayemi, being cost incurred by the lawmakers in summoning him in the last one year.

NAN reports that the chairman of the house committee on information, Samuel Omotosho, made this known at a news conference in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.

Omotosho said Fayemi, who is the minister of mines and steel development, had “officially been declared a lawbreaker by the House of Assembly”.

Omotosho said the house had passed the following resolutions:

“That a reminder letter be written to the Nigeria Police through the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to effect the warrant issued by this honourable House and arrest Dr Kayode Fayemi with immediate effect,” he said.

“That the sum of N1million being the cost incurred by this House during the activities surrounding his invitations be imposed on Fayemi as a fine, to serve as deterrent to future heady elements and bullies of democracy.”

According to the lawmaker, the house has invited Fayemi for three consecutive times spanning a period of one year. “The first invitation was sent on March 10, 2016; the second invitation was sent on

“The first invitation was sent on March 10, 2016; the second invitation was sent on Nov, 29 2016 and the third invitation was sent on Feb. 2, 2017.”

He said the minister disregarded the invitations.

“The House is empowered by Section 129, 1c, of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We want to listen to his explanation about the allegations of corruption and abuse of office levelled against him by the executive arm of government.

“He shadow-boxed himself by putting his face at the laws of our land, thus constituting a serious affront and threat to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.

“This same constitution bearing in mind some heady elements and bullies of democracy, also empowered this House under Section 129,1d, to issue warrant of arrest to compel the compliance of such lawbreakers.

“This we have done and Fayemi was officially declared wanted in February and the police adequately communicated through the IGP to effect his arrest forthwith.

“Up till this moment, the police have failed to carry out their constitutional duties as conferred by the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.

He stressed that Fayemi had disobeyed a constituted authority, and the house and all lovers of democracy and the rule of law should condemn the attitude of the minister