The Ekiti State government has described as unconstitutional, the arrest of two of its Commissioners by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Background:

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arrested the Commissioner for Finance, Toyin Ojo; and the Accountant General of the State, Yemisi Owolabi.

They were arrested over allegations bothering on misapplication of certain resources that accrued to the state government.

What Ekiti govt is saying:

Attorney-General of the State, Mr Kolapo Kolade, in a statement said;

• The arrest was illegal and against the law.
• He said that  a valid subsisting  court order was issued in 2016 by a Federal High Court blocking the EFCC from arresting or investigating any Ekiti official.

The commissioner said, “Following the Interim Order, the EFCC wrote a petition to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for the transfer of the case to another Federal High Court Judge and the case was subsequently transferred to the Akure Judicial Division of the Federal High Court.

“The Akure Judicial  Division of the Federal High Court sat over the case on the 24th day of January, 2017 and re-emphasized the order made earlier by the Ado Ekiti Judicial Division of the Federal High Court.

“The case was adjourned to 15/02/2017 for hearing. However, the Judge referred the case back to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to have a second look at the issue of transferring the case to the Akure Judicial Division of the Federal High Court.

“The Order of the Federal High court has not been vacated till date. In Order words, the issue of the arrest and or detention of the Ekiti State Government Officials is subjudice.

“The EFCC is not above the law and the Agency is bound to obey Lawful Orders made by Courts as in this case.

“The Actions of the EFCC are to say, the least lawful and a raw show of executive lawlessness.”

Azeez