The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has warned that the actions of President Muhammadu Buhari, who came to power with a promise to fight corruption, tend to entrench financial crimes in the in the public service.
The association was speaking on the alleged plan by the Federal Government to reinstate the Director-General, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr Mounir Gwarzo, currently on suspension for corruption charges, and said the development was against civil service rules.
According to ASCSN State Secretary, FCT, Comrade Isaac Ojemhenke the move would further dent the anti-graft war of the present administration.
Making reference to the reinstatement of the Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, and the attempt to smuggle the former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulkareem Maina, who were suspended and dismissed from service respectively, Ojemhenke, said the new trend is giving the government and Nigeria bad reputation.
“It is really unfortunate that a government that came to power on the promise to fight corruption will be taking actions that tend to entrench financial crimes in the system,” the union regretted.
In an earlier statement titled: “Labour Rejects Plan To Reinstate Security And Exchange Commission Director-General,” the ASCSN warned President Buhari not to succumb to pressures from the cabal in his government to reinstate the DG.
Comrade Ojemhenke stated that feelers from the Presidency indicate that President Muhammadu Buhari is under intense pressure by some members of his inner cabinet to recall the SEC Director-General assuring him that even if there is going to be an outcry, it will soon fizzle out just like the case of Professor Usman Yusuf, who was reinstated and heavens did not fall.
“What the cabal does not seem to understand is that the impression being created in the minds of millions of Nigerians with the policy of recalling chief executives and other top government officials enmeshed in financial malpractices is that the war against corruption is a ruse.
“It is necessary to recall that Mr Gwarzo was suspended after a properly constituted administrative panel set up by the Finance Minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, found him culpable of financial improprieties,” the union emphasised.
According to the ASCSN, apart from the fact that Gwarzo approved and paid himself a humongous sum of N105 million as severance benefit while still serving as director-general of SEC, Mr Gwarzo was also involved in other financial scams such as compelling the Commission to be awarding contracts to companies he still serves as director.
It added that this type of action is a gross violation of public service rules, financial regulations, and other extant government guidelines dealing with conducts of public officers.
“By planning to reinstate the SEC director-general, the government is creating the impression that Mr Gwarzo is indispensable, yet, the Commission has continued to function during his absence.
“There are many qualified Nigerians that are capable of performing excellently in such exalted positions so why should the Government continue to reinstate individuals with character deficit into strategic offices,” the union wondered.
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