Ekiti State
Governor, Ayodele Fayose has urged the Federal Government to ensure that the
allegation over illegal purchase of property against Femi Falana is properly
investigated and not swept under the carpet.
Fayose,
addressing the press in Ado Ekiti yesterday, said such a report against the
person of Falana who is reputed to be a human rights activist, friend of the
masses, crusader of justice and defender of democracy, was shameful.
The
embattled former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed
Maina, had accused Falana of buying the building, which was one of the
properties he helped to seize from pension thieves and handed over to the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Attorney
General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), laid
before the Senate a report linking the lawyer to alleged purchase of a N1
billion looter’s property located at 43 Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja. He said
the property was sold to a ‘Lagos lawyer.’
Falana, at
the weekend was reported to have said the property he bought in Maitama
District, Abuja, was from A Group Properties and not from the EFCC as alleged.
In a
statement he issued entitled, ‘Sale of Property to Femi Falana is Another Lie
from AGF’, Falana also challenged the minister to substantiate his claim that
the property was allocated or sold to him (Falana) by the EFCC as alleged in
media reports.
The governor
said: “Falana’s attempt to be clever by half in the explanations he offered to
justify his alleged atrocious act; whether or not he was a first degree or
third degree buyer; his efforts to white-wash what is an alleged fraudulent
deal and a betrayal of public trust and his desperate double speak to wriggle
out of this tight corner, all fell flat on its face.”
Fayose who
insisted that truth must be told, added: “We must call a spade a spade and what
is bad is bad. It is sad, disgraceful and shameful that Falana, a supposedly
social crusader, anti-corruption advocate, and friend of the masses, can be
cited in such odious, obscene and offensive conduct.
“This must
be the real reason why Falana always fall head over heels in defence of the
EFCC and Magu, not minding the vicious violations of the
constitutionally-guaranteed rights, freedom, and liberties of citizens. What we
have always suspected has now been confirmed publicly and by no less a person
as the Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.”
When
contacted yesterday, Falana speaking on telephone said: “Why do you want my
reaction? I have made my position clear. Didn’t you read my comments?
“Fayose is
expressing his own opinion; what is my business with that? Despite my
explanation, I am saying if you publish anything libelous, I am going to take
it up with you. That is all I have to say.”
0 Comments