Governor Fayose Stops EFCC’s Attempt to Arrest Fani-Kayode’s Wife in Ekiti

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state on Monday in Ado-Ekiti stopped the arrest of Sonia Precious Chikwendu, the wife of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode after she tried to withdraw money from an account already red-flagged by the Commission.

Chikwendu and her child were reportedly detained by the EFCC.

But the EFCC in a late statement Monday denied detaining any one, while also revealing the role of Governor Fayose in frustrating the arrest.

Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesman said Fayose stormed the bank in Ado-Ekiti with thugs to stop the arrest.

“Contrary to the media spin about the purported arrest of mother and child, a certain Chikwendu Sonia today attempted to withdraw money from an Access Bank account that had been placed on ‘Post No Debit’ Category, following the discovery of illicit cash flows into the account.

She was intercepted by the bank while the Commission was notified but because it was late, the EFCC advised that the suspect be taken to the police station for processing and release on bail.

They were arranging to take the suspect to the police station when Governor Ayo Fayose stormed the bank with thugs and his personal security and forcefully secured the release of the suspect, with claims that the EFCC had no power to detain anybody in his state.

He also vowed to close down the branch of the bank.

The said account, which had a balance of N2,307,712.82 was flagged following investigation into the PDP Joint Trust fund when  the Commission traced N1.1billion to the Zenith Bank account of Fani-Kayode.

It was discovered that the account had two biometric identification numbers, one for Fani-Kayode and the other  (with BVN 2205597283)for  Sonia Chikwendu.

The same BVN is linked to two other accounts in Diamond bank and 15 accounts in Guaranty Trust Bank,” Uwajaren said.

However, Fani-Kayode has reacted to the arrest via his Facebook Page. He said:

This government is sick and cowardly and so are the EFCC. If you have a problem with me face me and leave my family alone.

My wife travelled to Ado Ekiti to see my friend and brother Governor Fayose and his family. They were on their way out of town when they went to Access Bank in Ado Ekiti to get some money. When they got there my 8 month old son Aragorn and wife Precious Chikwendu were illegally detained, brutalised and put under arrest on the orders of the EFCC at a bank in Ado Ekiti today.

She has never had any business with me, she has never been formally invited by the EFCC or asked any questions about her transactions and neither have they written to her on any issue even though they are always sending letters to my house and sending people there.

If Buhari wants to deal with me why doesnt he face me like a man obstead of trying to harm and hurt my 8 month old son and wife.

Had it not been for the intervention of Governor Ayo Fayose they would have been taken them away and subjected them to all manner of harm and indignities simply because she is married to me.

This was an account that has 200,000 naira in it and that has never had more than 500,000.

She has operated it since 2005 and she stopped using it in 2013. The account has no connection with me and I did not know it existed till today.

In an attempt to starve and harass me and my family all my accounts and wife’s accounts have been frozen.

Now they are resorting to arresting peoples wives and children for no just cause.

I thank God for Gov. Fayose and the people of Ado Ekiti who stormed the bank and freed my wife from this illegal detention and attempt to kidnap them.

Had it not been for the governor’s intervention and presence, the bank would have been burnt down by the crowd. My family have since left Ekiti state.

This is Buhari’s Nigeria and we will resist his wickedness and tyranny.

We intend to sue the bank and to sue the EFCC for this illegal and wicked action. They have no right to do this. If they want to see my wife all they need to do is to invite her. We have nothing to fear. They do not need to be so primitive and barbaric to people.