….Suspension of NEMA Directors, staff in order – Head of Service

Kemi Yesufu, with Agency report

A Representative of Yobe State on Thursday informed the House of Representatives that the state has not received relief items from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) under the tenure of the current Director-General Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja.

Speaking at the continuation of the investigative hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on Emergency Disaster Preparedness, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam who was represented by the state Commissioner of Education Mr. Ibrahim Lamin, said the only donations received by his state came from private organisations.

He lamented that the no show from NEMA was despite the fact that the state is one of the most affected by years of insurgency.

“Yobe has not received any correspondence or relief material from the NEMA since the assumption of the current Director-General,” he said.

But in response, Maihaja, said the relief items were moved and distributed but he couldn’t identify those who received the items. Lawmakers weren’t impressed that the Director-General could not provide documents validating his claim.

The committee, therefore, directed the DG to furnish it with detailed information on who received the items, where and when, on Tuesday next week.

Meanwhile, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation , Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita told the committee that the suspension of the Directors and staff of the agency was in order and in line with Public Service Rules.She also said the Governing Council, led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has the powers to suspend the directors and other staff of the agency if the situation warranted it.

Those placed on suspension are the Director of Finance and Accounts, Akinbola Hakeem Gbolahan; Ag. Director, Special Duties, Mr. Umesi Emenike; Director, Risk Reduction, Mallam Alhassan Nuhu; Pilot in-charge Air Ambulance and Aviation Unit, Mr. Mamman Ali Ibrahim; the Chief Maintenance Officer, Mr. Ganiyu Yunusa Deji; and the Director of Welfare, Mr. Kanar Mohammed.The Isa Ali-led committee had invited the Head of Service to guide it on the procedure for suspending staff of the Agency and to ascertain if the Governing Council had the powers to suspend the six staff of the agency.

Represented by Mustapha Suleiman , a Permanent Secretary, The Head of the Civil Service guided the committee through the disciplinary processes in the Public Service Rules

The Head of Service said: ” Under Section 4 serious misconduct is specified as serious wrongdoing and improper behaviour which is inimical to the image of the Service, which if investigated and proven can lead to dismissal from service.

“The list is contained in sections 03, 04, 02 and it includes falsification of records, suppression of records, conviction of a criminal charge, bribery, corruption, misappropriation, embezzlement and sabotage etc.

“Any indicted officer would cease to be on his / her duty and the suspension can come from the Civil Service Commission, Head of Service or the Governing Council.

“That says suspension should not be used as a synonymy for interdiction. Because they are two situations, they’re different where the case is proven already it (suspension) shall apply where there is a prima facie case the nature of which is serious has been established against the person, and it is considered necessary in public interest that he or she should be prohibited from having access to his duties pending the investigation”.Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee had said the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo had written to say because of his busy schedule, the Secretary of the Governing Council, who is also the DG of NEMA or members of the Council present at the hearing would answer questions meant for him.

The Committee asked the NEMA DG to show them any law that gives the Council the power to suspend the directors and other staff of the Agency.

He said: ” By the provision of the Act, the relevant section of the NEMA Act that allows the Governing Council to superintend the affairs of the Agency is Section 7(10).

” The Council shall have the power to (a) manage and superintend the affairs of the Agency .

(b) subject to the provisions of this Act….and function of the agency

(c) for the term and condition of service including remuneration of the employees of the Agency after consultation with the Federal Civil Service Commission, and do such other things which in the opinion of the Agency are necessary to ensure the efficient performance of the functions of the Agency .

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ), Ibrahim Magu confirmed that the recommendation for the suspension of the said officers was given by the Commission in its interim report of its investigation.

“We received a petition in December 2017 and we went into the investigation proper.

“At a level, an interim position was provided and that those whose evidence of wrong doing has been established to be suspended in order not to hinder the investigation”.

He pleaded that the committee allow him to provide the documentary evidence requested later.