Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayo Fayose, was yesterday arraigned at the State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti over alleged N900 million indebtedness to his former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Owoseni Ajayi.
Ajayi was Fayose’s AG during his first and second terms as Ekiti governor between 2003-2006 and 2014-2018. The suit was filed by Ajayi on 17th December, 2018.
In the suit marked HAD/113/2018, Ajayi, said he handled a total of 18 cases through his law chambers for the former governor, with each costing a sum of N50 million as professional fee, which he alleged were not paid for.
Ajayi said those cases were prosecuted for Fayose between 2006 and 2014, which bordered on his impeachment in 2006 and the corruption case filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, among others.
In the writ of summon deposed to, Ajayi prayed the court for an order compelling Fayose to pay the professional fee without delay and also sought an order compelling the defendant to pay 20% interest on the debt from October 5,2018 and 10% from the day of judgement.
But, Fayose, in his preliminary objection, urged the court to dismiss the case on the premise that it was statute barred, improperly constituted and that the claimant failed to comply with the conditions precedent.
While being cross-examined in court, Fayose, described himself as a full time politician, and he admitted to his statement on oath of April 16, 2019 that the suit was ill-conceived and lacking the legal validity to fly.
Speaking on his relationship with the former AG, Fayose said, “Yes, I knew him, he did some few works for me,” adding that, “Between 2006 and 2017, he was working with me and also keeping documents for me.”
At yesterday’s proceeding, Ajayi was represented by Barrister Bayo Idowu, while the former governor was represented by his counsel, Ahmed Tafa.
The matter presided over by Justice L.O. Ogundana, was adjourned to December 13, 2022, for both parties to adopt their final replies and written addresses.
