National Scout Council suspends immediate past Chief Commissioner, three others

The National Scout Council (NSC) has suspended its immediate past Chief Commissioner, Mr. Dave Papados Awunah, and three other officers on allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and financial impropriety.

The suspension was contained in a letter jointly signed by Dr Obinna Anyaoha and MB Umar Muhammad, Secretary and Chief Commissioner, respectively, which was made available to journalists.

NSC noted that the decision was taken at its Extraordinary General Meeting in Abuja.

The highest policy-making organ of the Scout Association of Nigeria (TSAN) listed the three other suspended officers to include the immediate past National Executive Commissioner, Mr Babatunde Oyetayo, the Edo State Scout Commissioner, Mr Emmanuel Eseine, and the Nigerian representative in Africa Committee, Mr Chidi Ihemedu.

The council said the move was meant to give room for a thorough investigation of various allegations levied against them and being investigated by anti-graft agencies.

The council, also as part of the resolutions, ordered a probe of the council’s accounts with an official request for the association’s accounts to be frozen until the conclusion of investigations.

In resolution number 2024/TSAN/EOGM/04, the council renews faith in the newly elected leadership and calls on the new national leaders to initiate a recovery effort to redeem the tainted image of the Scout Association of Nigeria.

In pursuance of the recommendations of the World Scout Bureau, Africa Support Centre, contained in their memo dated September 23, 2024, addressed to the Scout Association of Nigeria, took a decision to contract a local independent, reputable external firm to conduct a financial audit of the council’s finances from 2019 to 2024 onwards.

“Effective immediately, they are relieved of all positions within the Association and are prohibited from representing the National Scout Organisation (NSO) in any capacity until the conclusion of ongoing investigations into allegations of fraud and financial mismanagement.

“The general public is strongly advised to refrain from engaging or conducting any business with these individuals in any capacity related to the association. Any transactions or engagements made with them are done at one’s own risk.

“We remain fully committed to restoring the integrity and reputation of the Scout Association of Nigeria, in line with the principles of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM), the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and in the best interest of millions of young scouts across the country,” the letter read in part.

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