SUPREME COURT ORDERS FAYEMI TO PAY SACKED COMMISSION MEMBERS

The Supreme Court yesterday pointedly told the gov of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi that it won't hear the appeal he filed against the Appellate Court judgment, directing the payment of all entitlements of the sacked Chairman of the Local Govt Service Commission, Rt Hon Femi Akinyemi and his commissioners.

The Panel Presided by Justice Mahmud Muhammed said it had no time for frivolities, saying; "We are going to give you a long adjournment so that you can come and tell us that you have settled."

The Court said the law was clear on the termination of appointment of Statutory commissions and board members, adding that since Gomina Fayemi had decided to sack statutory commission members, he should have paid their entitlements. 

The five-man Supreme Court panel also tongue-lashed the State's Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Dayo Apata, who represented the State Govt, accusing him of not advising the gov properly. Apata is Gomina Fayemi's cousin.

The case was adjourned till March 5, 2014 for the State Govt to show evidence of payment of all entitlements of the sacked LGSC members.

It should be recalled that against the constitution, Fayemi upon assumption of office sacked members of statutory commissions and boards appointed by former gov, Segun Oni.

The commissions and boards were LGSC, Civil Service Commission, Teaching Service Commission, House of Assembly Service Commission, State Independent Electoral Commission and State Universal Basic Education Board. He also sacked duly elected Local Govt chairmen and councillors.

Judgment debts on cases arising from this undemocratic act run to over N3bn and with the Supreme Court pronouncements of yesterday, Ekiti State govt no longer have any option than to settle the debts.