[I Love Nigeria]

Tuesday, 19 Jun 2007
Fayose writes Ribadu, London police file briefs on Dariye, Ibori
Olalekan Adetayo


A former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Ayodele Fayose, has written the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on his readiness to appear before the agency.

A source, who spoke with our correspondent in confidence, said Fayose was seeking a soft-landing.

He said, “In his letter, the former governor of Ekiti is asking the commission how he can be ‘accommodated’ without any molestation. He is encouraged by the appearance of his former colleagues before the EFCC.”

The source said Fayose was looking forward to a plea-bargaining option instead of outright trial in court.

“We have a strong suspicion that Fayose has sneaked into the country but he does not want to come out of his hideout until there is a clear signal from the anti-graft body,” he added.

The source added that the EFCC was still studying Fayose’s letter, which might be replied this week.

He said Ribadu’s trip abroad had delayed the response to Fayose’s letter.

Meanwhile, some detectives from London Metropolitan Police on Friday submitted some reports on ex-Governors Dariye and James Ibori to the EFCC.

A source at the commission said the reports had to do with details of the foreign accounts of the two former governors.

He explained that the Met officers took time to explain their findings and what should be done.

The source, who added that the team returned to London at the weekend, was not forthcoming on whether any of the former governors would be extradited to the United Kingdom for trial.

In a related development, ex-Governor Boni Haruna of Adamawa State on Monday reported to the EFCC’s office in Abuja.

It was learnt that Haruna, who was interrogated by a team of detectives, had his international passport confiscated.

A source at the commission said Haruna was also directed to come back to the EFCC on Thursday.

Ekiti State lawmakers removed Fayose in 2006 following allegations of corruption. Although he denied the allegations, he was believed to have fled the country to avoid possible arrest and trial following loss of his immunity.

The EFCC had accused him of diverting $100, 000 to a personal account in the US.