The House of Representatives' Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness on Thursday summoned the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Head of Service, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita and the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu over the recent suspension of six Directors of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Recall that the Directors were suspended last week by NEMA Governing Council Board, chaired by Osinbajo following the commencement of investigation into the expenditure of N17.8bn by NEMA under the watch of its Director General, Mr. Mustapha Maihaja.
The Governing Council Board had approved the request by the EFCC to suspend the Directors to allow for unhindered investigation.
The suspended Directors who appeared before the House Committee on Thursday accused the Council of breaching due process in their suspension. They also claimed that they were not given fair hearing, neither did the suspension follow civil service rules. In addition, they observed that the suspension appeared to be selective, since the DG, who sat atop NEMA, was left out.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ali Isa said the Committee was specifically investigating ‘Violations of Public Trust at NEMA’. The Committee resolved to summon the VP after Maihaja informed the lawmakers that the council took a decision to suspend the directors at its meeting on the orders of Osinbajo.
The suspended Directors include the Director of Finance and Accounts, Akinbola Gbolahan; Ag. Director, Special Duties, Mr. Umesi Emenike; and Director, Risk Reduction, Mallam Alhassan Nuhu.
Others are the pilot in charge of Air Ambulance and Aviation Unit, Mr. Mamman Ibrahim; the Chief Maintenance Officer, Mr. Ganiyu Deji; and the Director of Welfare, Mr. Kanar Mohammed.
NEMA is under investigation over alleged mismanagement of N17.bn received from various sources for intervention in many emergency situations in the country.
