Buhari suspends Dokubo, coordinator of Amnesty programme
…Confirms Yemi-Esan as Head of Service, retires Oyo-Ita
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the suspension of Charles Dokubo, coordinator of the presidential amnesty programme.
Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
Adesina said the suspension is in line with the recommendation of a caretaker committee set up to look into allegations and petitions against Dokubo.
“Following numerous allegations and petitions surrounding the Presidential Amnesty Programme, the National Security Adviser (NSA) set up a Caretaker Committee to look into the activities of the programme, on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Part of the Committee’s task is to ensure that allocated resources are properly utilized in consonance with government’s objective of alleviating problems in the Niger Delta region, and stamping out corruption in the Amnesty Programme.
“Consequently, the NSA recommended to Mr President that the Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Professor Charles Quaker Dokubo be suspended, a recommendation that has been approved and which takes immediate effect.
“The President has also directed that the Caretaker Committee set up to review the programme should oversee the running of the programme henceforth, with a view to ensuring that government objectives are achieved,” the statement read.
Dokubo had succeeded Paul Boroh, who was removed by the president in 2018 following allegations of corruption levelled against him.
Before his appointment, Dokubo was director of research and studies at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).
He holds a PhD in strategic studies from the University of Bradford, United Kingdom, and hails from Abonema, Akuku-Toru local government of Rivers state.
In a related development, President Buhari has confirmed Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and also approved the retirement of Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita.
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Mr. Olusegun Adekunle, Permanent Secretary (General Services Office) office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, made this known in a statement issued on Friday.
The statement reads in part: “His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria has approved the retirement of Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita from the Federal Civil Service with effect from Thursday, 27th February, 2020.
”In approving the retirement, President Buhari affirmed that it would be without prejudice to the ongoing investigations into certain allegations against the immediate past Head of the HOCSF. “
“President, however, thanked Oyo-Ita for the invaluable services to the nation and wished her well in all future endeavors.
“Meanwhile, the appointment of Yemi-Esan as the substantive HOCSF takes effect from Friday, 28th February, 2020.”
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that until her new appointment, she was the Acting HOCSF, a position she assumed since 18th sept. 2019.
The President charged the new HOCSF to bring her wealth of experience to bear in the new position so that government could deliver on the priority areas of development already outlined.
He also urged her to make the stabilisation of the Federal Civil Service top most on her agenda.
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