Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
A Lagos based lawyer and human rights activists, Kabir Akingbolu, has vowed to drag the immediate past Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Kayamo (SAN) before the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to prosecute him for fraudulently enriching himself with Nigerian tax payers money.
He also threatened to compel the Federal Government to expunge his name from government record as one of the former Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Akingbolu recalled that Keyamo, at the valedictory Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by former president Muhammadu Buhari, to mark the end of the administration, had told the former president that it was an aberration to appoint a Minister of State, noting that the portfolio was illegal and unconstitutional.
In a letter dated May 29, 2023, addressed to Kayamo, as made available to newsmen, the lawyer said that some people like him believe that the former minister only said what he said in his valedictory’s speech to get a better patronage or appointment as a substantive minister in the new government.
“With utmost respect and humility, I write to you in respect of the above subject matter. As citizens and ministers in the temple of justice and good governance advocate, it is our civic responsibility to advance and advocate the entrenchment of the principles of the rule of law in the country for the purpose of strengthening good governance and constitutionality.
“The sacred duty is not bestowed on only me, but also every citizen. Our attention has just been drawn to your sincere advice and recommendation to the Federal Government of Nigeria in your speech at the valedictory session presided over by ex-president Muhammad Buhari, to mark the end of the Federal Executive Council, (FEC) meeting, under his (Buhari) administration, at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to consider appointing different ministers to handle individual portfolios since the Minister of State was constitutional aberration, which further strengthened the position of an elder statesman, Stephen Oronsanye’s white paper recommendation on public sector reforms.
“In telling the truth to the power, this act is salutary, laudable and commendable by all Nigerians; it is an act alien to the Nigerian political class. We are not much surprised about this, based on your antecedents as people’s advocate who always stand by the Nigerian masses, as a crusader for democracy and constitutionalism for the development of Nigerian young democracy that continued to be mal-administered by inept successive government, due to lack of political will to right the wrongs in our political system.
“It is our strong belief that your recommendation was borne out of your usual characteristics and sincere contribution to the advancement of our constitutional democracy, which has been the bane of our political and economic development for ages. Arising from the foregoing is the fact that, since you have deemed it fit to stand by the truth at this time, belatedly though, by exposing the unconstitutional acts of governments for the sake of advancing our constitutional democracy, so, it will be improper, hypocritical and out of character for you to withhold the products and proceeds of this office not recognised by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We, therefore, demand that you immediately refund all the illegal and unconstitutional salaries and allowances paid to you as an appointed Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs and later redeployed as Minister of State for Labour and Employment for the past four years. Although, it is shocking and disappointing that as a social crusader and respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria, you could permit yourself to be used to occupy an illegal office and you continued to receive illegal money for a whole four years. This is highly disappointing and leaves so much sad taste in the mouth that you can participate in such criminality.
“This has made some people like us to believe that you only said so, in order to get a better patronage or appointment as a substantive minister in the new government. Too bad. In any event of neglect or refusal to comply or give attention to this innocuous demand, we shall be left with no other option than to file for Mandamus, by approaching the court to compel the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to prosecute you for fraudulently enriching yourself with Nigerian tax payers› money, and, in addition, compel the Federal Government to expunge your name from government record as one of the former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. While thanking you in anticipation, highest professional regards always”, Akingbolu’s letter read.