Court Orders Ex-Minister Kayamo to refund all illegal funds used during his tenure.
A Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Kabir Akingbolu, has urged the immediate past Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), through the court to refund the salaries and allowances he received during his four years in office.
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According to Akingbolu, a partner at Salawu, Akingbolu & Co., it is astonishing and distressing that Keyamo, as a social warrior and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, could allow himself to be used to occupy an illegal office. He used to work in an illegal office, where he received unlawful money for four years.
Akingbolu made the request in a letter from Court to Keyamo, requesting him to repay the benefits and salaries he received as minister.
He went on to say that it is extremely disheartening and leaves a bitter taste in his mouth that he may participate in such a crime.
Akingbolu’s letter followed Keyamo’s statement during the valedictory session presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari to mark the completion of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, in which he stated that appointing a minister of State is an abnormality.
The lawyer indicated in a letter dated May 29, 2023, and addressed to Keyamo that several people like him, including him feel that the outgoing minister said this during his farewell address in order to gain better patronage or appointment as a substantive minister in the incoming government.
“With the utmost respect and humility, I write to you regarding the above subject,” Akingbolu writes in part.
As citizens and ministers in the temple of justice and watchdogs for good governance, it is our civic duty to advance and advocate for the establishment of the principles of the rule of law in the country in order to strengthen good governance and constitutionality.
“Our attention has recently been called to your sincere counsel and proposal to the Federal Government in your statement at President Muhammad Buhari’s valedictory session to mark the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting FEC.
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“As a result of the foregoing, you will be improper, hypocritical, and out of character to withhold the products and proceeds of this unconstitutional office.”
As a result, the lawyer demands that he immediately refund all illegal and unconstitutional salary and allowances paid to him as Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs before being redeployed as Minister of State for Labour and Employment for the past four years.
