The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has reiterated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has no powers to investigate financial transactions of his government.
He said that before EFCC can investigate his government, the anti-graft agency must first vacate the Federal High Court judgment that declared that it cannot investigate the financial transactions of the Rivers State Government.
He spoke on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the Group Managing Director Designate of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu.
The Governor said: “EFCC has no powers to look into our financial transactions. You cannot be giving our financial transactions to the EFCC, because that it is illegal.
“Unless the EFCC sets aside the judgment, they have no powers to look into our financial transactions. Not that we are afraid, but due process must be followed.”
He said that if Zenith Bank refuses to obey the Court judgment, Rivers State Government will be compelled to file the necessary processes to ensure that the right thing is done.
Governor Wike congratulated Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu on his appointment as the Group Managing Director Designate of the Zenith Bank, stating that his appointment was due to commitment and hardwork.
“Since 1999, this relationship has been there and it will be there. Try to ensure that Rivers people grow in the bank,” he said.
Onyeagwu congratulated the Rivers State Governor on his re-election, adding that “everyone of us in Zenith Bank is very pleased over the success you have recorded . We also want to use this opportunity to congratulate you on your victory at the last election and wish for a glorious second term”.
He said that Zenith Bank prays for Governor Wike to make greater progress during his second term. He said that he was in Rivers State to inform the Governor that he would take over the leadership of the bank on June 1, 2019.
“Zenith Bank and Rivers State have been in partnership for over 20 years. We want to assure you that in this moment and in this time, our expectation is that this partnership will get even bigger and stronger.
“We want to assure you of our utmost loyalty and support for the ideas and aspirations of your Government. Is our pleasure that Zenith Bank is willing to support the various development initiatives of your Government. At this second half, going by your disposition, going by your perspective that we know, our expectation is that it will even be raised higher. Even as the tempo is raised higher, the support of Zenith Bank will remain consistent,” Onyeagwu said.
