By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
A Pro Good Governance Group, Network for Good Governance Against Corruption has condemned the planned reinstatement of the suspended Director General of the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), Munir Gwarzo
The National Industrial Court had on May 30, 2019 ordered the reinstatement of Gwarzo and the payment of all his accumulated salaries and allowances.
The Group through a press statement by its Convener Comrade Idris Kado, held that the allegations against the DG were too grave and an indictment on the anti corruption war of President Buhari administration.
Munir Gwarzo was fired by former Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun to allow for an unhindered investigation after he was accused of collecting severance package worth N104.85 million, in clear violation of the civil service rules.
The group noted that, “the ICPC had filed five count charges accusing Gwarzo of receiving, between May and June 2015, the sum of N104,851,154.94 as severance benefit when he had yet to retire, resign or disengage from service; and also the sum of N10,983,488.88 as car grant, not entitled to”.
According to the group, “In two of the five counts, ICPC accused Garuba, a former Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services of SEC, of conferring corrupt advantage on another public officer in the person of Gwarzo by approving the payments to the suspended SEC boss”.
The group pointed out that the judgement of the National Industrial Court which ruled that the former finance Minister lacked the power to sack the DG but insisted that the allegations of corruption were still disgraceful to the President Buhari’s administration which swore to rid public institutions of corruption practices.
“It is a slap on the Integrity of the President’s anti corruption war that Munir Gwarzo who clearly violated the Civil Service rules and paid himself monies illegally is reinstated into office. President Buhari must intervene and uphold the sack of Munir Gwarzo” the statement read.
“As lovers of Good Governance, it is our expectation that President Buhari who has the power to sack the SEC DG, fires him pending the outcome of the investigation…” the statement added.
