Ekiti
State Governor Ayo Fayose has ordered the state to stop transacting business
with Zenith Bank.
The
action is not unconnected with the face-off between him and Zenith on the
freezing of his personal accounts domicilled in thebank by the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According
to a circular from the Office of the Accountant General on Tuesday, all
Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) must comply with the order within
48 hours.
The
circular was addressed to the head of Service, permanent secretaries, general
managers, administrative secretaries, heads of Non-Ministerial Departments and
agencies and tertiary institutions.
The
MDAs and institutions have begun implementation of the order to meet up with
the deadline.
The
circular, which was signed by the Accountant General, Mrs. O.O. Owolabi, is
titled: “Stoppage of banking relationship with the Zenith Bank Plc.”
It
reads: “The state government has directed immediate stoppage of all banking
relationships with Zenith Bank.
“All
Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are expected to adhere strictly to
this instruction and sever transaction with the bank within 48 hours.
“By
extension, workers’ salaries cease to be remitted to salary accounts domicilled
with the bank forthwith. They are, therefore, advised to supply alternative
bank accounts with their respective MDAs for transmission to this office within
60 days.
“Kindly,
give the contents of this circular the widest publicity it deserves. The
governor is poised to address the state on the matter in due course. Thank
you.”
The
EFCC on May 24 froze two Zenith Bank accounts belonging to Fayose for
alleged laundering of about N1.2 billion believed to be part of the
arms fund from the ex-National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki
(retd.)
The
cash was allegedly released to the governor to fund his campaign in the 2014
governorship election.
Fayose
claimed Zenith Bank funded his campaign but the bank denied the allegation.
The
governor sued the EFCC and the bank at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti,
seeking an order to de-freeze the account, which the court declined.
The
matter was adjourned till September 30.
Source:The
Nation
Tags
Business