By GBENGA ARIYIBI

ADO EKITI — The issue of N1.2billion Integrated Poultry Project executed in all the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State by Ayo Fayose’s administration has generated a fresh controversy, as the the former governor has threatened to drag incumbent governor Kayode Fayemi to court for alleged contempt of court based on his recent comment.

Fayemi was quoted as saying during the inspection of some poultry projects in the state  that the Fayose poultry project was not designed to succeed and would amount to waste of money to resuscitate it by his administration because it was not viable.

The former governor is still being prosecuted by  the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, for alleged misappropriation of the fund allocated for the project.

According to a statement in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, by Mr. Idowu Adelusi, Director of Publicity of Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation, AFCO, Fayose had concluded arrangement to drag the governor to court

Adelusi quoting Mr. Owoseni Ajayi, counsel to Fayose, described Fayemi’s statement as reckless and unguarded when he, Fayemi actually knew that the poultry project matter, was in court.

According to Owoseni, a former Attorney General of the state: “Fayemi’s comment  on the poultry project  already in court was subjudice, prejudice and attempt at misleading members of the public

“In law, nobody is allowed to comment on any matter that is in court.”

Ajayi who doubles as the Director General of AFCO,  said his client did not want to join issue with the sinking and outgoing Fayemi’s administration  because  “the issue in question is  in  court.

“Suing Fayemi and his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode for contempt of court was necessary to preserve dignity of the judiciary which his client hold in high esteem and also to check  others.

“Fayemi was only trying to misinform the public and Ekiti people about the real  matter and also attempted to  block course of justice.

“He lacks the correct information about the project and I therefore refer him to the project file which is supposed to educate and guide him on the scope of work done before the EFCC  stopped the project.

“Fayemi is being intimidated by the rising profile of Fayose and preparedness of the PDP to send him out of the Government House.

“In 2009, when Fayemi begged Fayose  to support him to win the re-run election, he did not make any uncomplimentary remark about the poultry project.

“Actually, Fayemi is only playing politics by that comment and it is a sign that he is restless, but we can’t help him. The APC government has to go,”  Ajayi declared