By Shehu Gowon
President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof Charles Uwakwe over alleged financial impropriety.
Buhari also terminated the appointment of four other management staff of the body.
It was gathered that Mr. President approved the sacking of the Prof. Uwakwe over his alleged involvement in the award contracts in the council to the tune of N25billion without following the due process.
The Federal Government had placed Uwakwe suspension since May 2018 while his alleged involvement in the alleged financial mismanagement and abuse of office was being investigated.
The sacked Uwakwe was alleged to have connived with other top management to commit the crime which necessitated President Buhari to relieved him of his position.
NECO in a release on Wednesday confirmed the sack of Uwakwe and dismissal of the four management for financial impropriety and abuse of office.
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The release explained that Buhari’s directive was conveyed in a letter, dated May 11, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.
It stated that Uwakwe was accused of violating the Public Procurement Act (2007) and pursuant to PSR 030402 and Part 1 schedule 4 (i) of NECO Establishment Act.
Echono said, “After due consideration of the investigative panel on the allegation of unsatisfactory conduct levelled against you and some management staff of the council, Mr. President in exercise of his powers, has approved your removal as the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of National Examinations Council with effect from the date of your suspension from duty.”
The letter directed the former Registrar to hand over all the government property in his custody to the acting Registrar.
In another letter, FME/S/1419/C.3/T/98, on May 11, by the Permanent Secretary, the President approved the dismissal from service of four Management workers.
“After due consideration of the Financial Report of the Review Committee, Mr. President has approved the recommendations as follows; Bamidele Olure, dismissal from the service with effect from the date of his suspension from office having been found guilty of financial impropriety and not qualified to Head the Finance and Accounts Department.
“Dr. Shina Adetona was dismissed from service with effect from the date he was suspended from office for acts tantamount to fraudulent practices, sabotage and suppression of official records”, it stated.
Meanwhile, President Buhari has appointed Mr Abubakar Gana as the acting Registrar of NECO.
