Buhari approves suspension of NSITF boss, 11 others

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the indefinite suspension of the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mr. Adebayo Somefun and 11 others.

According to a statement signed by the Director (Press) in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Charles Akpan, their suspension arose from the prima facie infractions on extant Financial Regulations and Procurement Act, and other acts of gross misconduct. 

Also suspended from Office are the Executive Director, Finance and Investment, Mr. Jasper Azuatalam; Executive Director, Operations, Mrs. Olukemi Nelson and the Executive Director, Administration, Alhaji Tijani Darazo Sulaiman. 

Some management staff who are also suspended include General Manager, Administration/Human Resources/Maintenance, Mr. Olusegun Bashorun; General Manager, Finance, Mr. Lawan Tahir; General Manager, Claims and Compensation, Mr. Chris Esedebe; Deputy General Manager, Investment and Treasury Management, Mr. Olodotun Adegbite; Deputy General Manager, Finance and Accounts, Mr. Emmanuel Sike; Deputy General Manager/Acting Head, Legal, Mrs. Olutoyin Arokoyo; Deputy General Manager, Administration, Ms. Dorathy Zajeme Tukura; Assistant General Manager, Internal Audit, Mrs. Victoria Ayantuga.

The statement noted that during the period of their suspension, the suspended officers are to face a joint audit and investigative panel set up to look into the financial and procurement breaches, as well as gross misconduct for periods of 2016 to date. 

“The affected officers have also been directed to hand over to the most senior officers in their respective departments. The executive directors are therefore, to hand over to the most senior general managers, while the managing director will hand over to the most senior officer in the fund,” the statement directed.

Accordingly, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige has approved and directed that Mrs. Temitope Akinwale, regional general manager in -charge of the Ibadan should take charge as general manager in charge of Finance and to concurrently oversee the office of the executive director of finance and investment as the acting executive director.

Also, the Regional General Manager in -charge of Port Harcourt Region, Mrs. Maureen Allagoa, is to move to the NSITF headquarters as general manager in charge of administration, human resources and maintenance and to concurrently oversee the office of the executive director of administration as acting executive director.

Similarly, the General Manager of Administration and Maintenance, Mr. Baba Ma’aji Kabir, has been ordered to move to enforcement department while concurrently overseeing the office of the executive director of operations as acting executive director.

In the same vein, the General Manager of the Health, Safety and Environment Department, Dr. Kelly Nwagha, being the most senior general manager in the fund is to assume the position of acting managing director/chief executive.