Buhari sacks National examination council registrar, four other management staff over financial impropriety
The Nigerian Government has terminated the Registrar and Chief Executive of the National Examination Council(NECO) Charles Uwakwe,and also dismissed four members of the management for various offences bordering on financial impropriety.
Penpushing reports that the dismissal comes after a panel that investigated allegations of misconduct against them, while they were on suspension, recommended their removal, and the affected officers include the Acting Director (Finance and Accounts), Bamidele Olure; Head of Procurement Division, Shina Adetona; Deputy Director Tayo Odukoya, and Head of Legal/Board matters, Babatunde Aina.
The registrar had been suspended since May 2018 on the federal government order over alleged financial mismanagement and abuse of office, and thereafter replaced him with Abubakar Gana as Acting Registrar.
Penpushing further reports that, the council spokesman, Azeez Sanni said,the dismissal of the officials was contained in a directive by President Muhammadu Buhari and was conveyed in a letter dated May 11 which was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.
The National Examination Council(NECO) spokesman stated that Uwakwe was accused of violating the Public Procurement Act (2007) while in office,adding, that,following due consideration of the investigative panel the officials were sacked
“After due consideration of the investigative panel on the allegation of unsatisfactory conduct levelled against you and some management staff of the council, Mr President in the exercise of his powers has approved your removal as the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of National Examinations Council with effect from the date of your suspension from duty,” Sani quoted the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, Sunny Echono as saying.
Penpushing also reports that, Sanni said the former registrar who was sacked in a letter reference number FME/S/1419/C.3/T/98, on May 11, was also directed to hand over all the government property in his custody to the acting Registrar.
The Council image maker equally disclosed that Acting Director (Finance and Accounts), Olure, was dismissed for alleged financial impropriety and for not being qualified to head the Finance and Accounts Department.
Penpushing reports that, in similar development Adetona was dismissed for acts tantamount to fraudulent practices, sabotage and suppression of official records while Odukoya was dismissed for acts of serious misconduct, the spokesperson said.
The letter directed the management to commence the process of recovering ill-gotten benefits/gains from Odukoya who allegedly acted as the Director of a private company (M/S I-web Solutions) while in office.
Penpushing further reports that Aina on his own part was dismissed from service for falsification of records and dishonesty in the sale of council Guest House, which is being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC).
