Fayose Says Zenith Bank Officials Have 'Begged' Him

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State says a top management team of Zenith Bank Plc on Thursday evening begged him over the bank's alleged role in funding Mr. Fayose's election.

The governor says Zenith Bank helped in funding his election in 2014, in his bid to deny an allegation by the government linking him to a $2.1 billion arms money reportedly diverted by the former Goodluck Jonathan administration.

But Mr. Fayose accuses the bank of lying to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission about the transaction, and his public comments on the case are believed aimed at getting even with the bank's leaders.

The bank has distanced itself from the governor's election.

But, in a statement on Thursday, by its spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, Mr. Fayose said the bank's top management met with him and begged him to let the matter be.

The statement was accompanied with photographs showing the governor and some officials he said were from the bank.