Group demands sack of permanent secretary over N119bn fraud

Group demands sack of permanent secretary over N119bn fraud.

The Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI) has tasked President Muhammad Buhari to sack the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mohammed Bello, for alleged N119billion fraud.

Bello is accused of misconduct and fraud, and was queried on May 11 by the office of the head of the civil service of the federation, while serving as permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Executive Secretary of CWAI, Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele called for the removal of the permanent secretary from office and his prosecution for fraud in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.

As champions of transparency, accountability and good governance in public service, CWAI stated that it critically examined the allegations against Bello and decided pushing for his sack, to serve as deterrent to other public officers holders, not to toe the line of infamy and financial recklessness by committing  infractions.

It asserted that the conduct of the permanent secretary was unbecoming of an officer holding public trust and a flagrant violation of the constitutional, and statutory provisions regulating the federal public service. 

“In view of the foregoing, CWAI strongly recommends the immediate suspension of the queried Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Umar Bello. This is to pave way for proper and unbiased investigation into the matter.

“Following the gross anomaly and crass violation of public service rules by Bello and due to the sensitive nature of the office he occupies, he should therefore, be asked to proceed on suspension based on the query.

“CWAI further recommends that the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission should be called in to take -over the issue bordering on financial infractions,” Aigbegbele canvassed.

According to him, the negative implications of the brazen disregard for public services rules by the continued stay of Bello in office, is administratively disruptive and highly demoralizing to other staff of the ministry. 

“This is also a big slight on the fight against corruption by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

“Bello should proceed on suspension so as to serve as deterrence to others still in service. 

“There is no need keeping competent persons stifled in various positions within the service because of the sit-tight syndrome of others, which must not be allowed to thrive in the public service.

“CWAI therefore calls on the federal government to avoid creating a dangerous precedence which would have a negative impact on the morale and development of the public service at large,” the group advised.

While commending the office of the head of the civil service, for quering Bello, CWAI however, threatened to take further steps to ensure compliance to civil service rules as it affects the flouting of such ground norms by an erring civil servant.