By; OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado-Ekiti
Stakeholders at the public hearing organised to discuss the proposed Ekiti State Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Bill 2018 have unanimously commended the House of Assembly for the move, calling for its speedy passage into law.
The public hearing was held on the floor of the House chambers in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, with stakeholders including representatives of diverse groups
Speaker of the House, Right Hon (Pastor) Kola Oluwawole, in an opening speech, noted that the essence of the public hearing was to ensure that every sector had input into the bill so that it could be rightly termed ‘our law.’
‘The essence is to see the bill as one that touches every aspect of our lives as private or public entities, groups or individuals.
‘Why Ekiti State Economic and Financial Crimes Commission? Overseeing of the financial status and how it is managed is the job of the House of Assembly, not only in Ekiti State, but also in all the 36 states of the federation.
‘The Federal EFCC has been harassing the states. That is why Ekiti went to court and thank God, we won. We want to set the pace in probity and accountability,’ he said.
Chairman of the House Public Accounts Committee, Ayodele Fajemilehin, said that,among other things, the Act was investigate all economic and financial crimes, including advance fee fraud, diversion of contract fees, abandonment of projects, among others.
Those who led speakers at the event included the state chairman of council of traditional rulers, Oloye of Oyè-Ekiti,Oba Olúwole Ademolaju, the state Head of Service, Dr. Olugbenga Faseluka, the state Auditor General, Mr. Kayode Daniel, Auditor General For Local Government,Mr. Bayo Adeojo, Chief Registrar of the state Judiciary, Mr. Obafemi Fasanmi,private legal practitioners,representatives of securities agencies and NGOs as well as journalists
