As kwara state government states its intention to appeal the judgement of Hon. Justice H.A. Gegele of the state high court’s declaration that “the Governor of Kwara State had no power to dissolve the democratically-elected councils of the sixteen Local Governments of Kwara State and that “1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) does not recognize the purported transitional implementation committee”, a former member, House of Representatives, Hon. Zakari Mohammed has warned banks on disbursement of state’s funds to the illegal transition committee.
In a statement issued on Monday, Hon. Zakari said “until and unless the court order is vacated, further disbursement of the state’s resources may be deemed illegal and therefore refundable, especially as an order directing the 2nd Respondent (Kwara State Governor) to recover/refund back to the State Treasury all funds, remunerations and benefits already paid to members of the said transitional implementation committees was granted by the court”.
Hon Zakari who represented Baruteen/Kaiama federal constituency at the 7th 8th National Assembly and spokesperson,
7th Asdemby, also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to keep a closer watch on further withdrawals from banks by the illegal transitional implementation committees/ caretaker or whatsoever name called appointed by the Governor or any other body.
“Financial institutions, as creations of the law, should be strictly guided by the letters of the law and due diligence, and must refrain from acting only for the purpose of expected government patronages”, Zakari said.
It will be recalled that, ruling in favour of a non-governmental organisation, Hon. Justice Gegele described as executive rascality and abuse of power the dissolution of democratically elected local government councils and its replacement with transitional implementation committees.
The learned Judge, among others, agreed that “the Respondents lack vires to release or use Kwara State resources to fund purported Transitional implementation committee/ caretaker or any other name whatsoever called given sections 1(1), 7(1) and 15 (5) of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)”.
