By Akin Akinbobola
The Appointment of Accountant General of the Federation by Examination has led to massive corruption in the Treasury House
It is no longer news that Mr. Jonah Otunla, the former Accountant General of the Federation during the Jonathan Goddluck Administration paid back billions of naira through recovery by the EFCC and ICPC back to the Federal Government of Nigeria. https://thenationonlineng.net/n6-4b-refund-fg-pledged-not-to-prosecute-ex-accountant-general-says-lawyer/. His Successor, Alhaji Ahmed Idris was alleged to have misappropriated billions of naira whilst in Office as the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) by the EFCC though currently on administrative bail.
The replacement for Alhaji Ahmed Idris, Mr Chukwuyere Anamekwe was also removed due to corruption allegations against him and replaced by Sylva Okolieaboh, a director at the Treasury Single Account (TSA) department…
https://www.thecable.ng/just-in-acting-accountant-general-removed.
The indictment of the last two Accountant-General of the Federation by the Law Enforcement Agencies has begged to ask the questions? What is the process for appointment of the Accountant-General of the Federation? What is wrong with this process that has failed the nation and led to monumental corruption and looting of the treasury dry at the painful cost to the taxpayers.
The process of appointment of AGF is via ‘Examination’ conducted by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation in collaboration with the Federal Civil Service Commission and name of three successful candidates will be forwarded to the Presidency to choose from. This selection process according to investigation is fraught with high level of bribery and corruption. It is an opportunity to cash out from the Director of Finance (DFA) contesting for the position of the AGF. It is a public knowledge that most of the DFAs in the Federal Government are multi-millionaires and are ready to pay to assume the post of the AGF for the obvious reasons.
The Office of the head of Service is bent on using the same method to appoint the new Accountant-General of the Federation despite the corruption associated with the examination process. The 14 names of the candidates that were forwarded to the HOS are Accountants are inexperienced civil servants with money and will further damage the OAGF and the administration of the President Muhammadu Buhari anti-corruption campaign.
Most of the successful AGFs never had to pay public servants to assume the position of the AGF in the past, they are appointed on the basis of qualification, integrity and cognate working experience. The President and Commander in Chief should please for the sake of the country and legacy of the administration.
The current and future Government must look beyond the examination process of selection for the vacant position of the AGF, this important position is too critical to the economy and image of the country than just appointing people with questionable character using a defective examination administered by corrupt civil servants. The damage that has been done to the Office by the last 2 holders of the Office and the Federal Government will take several years to repair. Hence, the need by the FGN to explore better ways for appointing an AGF.
A study of the following countries: England, Botswana, Jamaica, India, Mauritius, Ghana, Singapore and South Africa that has similar position and office do not conduct examination to fill a vacancy for the position. The appointment is based on person’s track record, experience and integrity. The Government need to take a cue from other countries and prevent further damage to this hallow Office.
The President and CIC must show character and leave a lasting legacy by appointing a new AGF not on the basis of corrupt examination process. The President should seek counsel and consult widely before the appointment of new AGF through a fraudulent examination process.
Akin Akinbobola wrote in from Abuja
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