NAP-TIP goes tough, sacks 6 officials for corruption, misconduct

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) , on Thursday dismissed six errant officers who were involved in nefarious activities capable of bringing the agency to disrepute.

NAPTIP also retired one officer compulsorily and sanctioned two others for various offences inimical to the operations of the agency.

A statement dated September 20 and signed by Adekoye Vincent, also stated that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, has approved the disciplinary actions against the culprits while the clean up is part of the recommendation of the management of the agency which found the errant officials culpable for various offences.

The development, which has jolted other officers of the Agency was part of the planned disciplinary actions and in – house cleaning exercise embarked upon by the present management of NAPTIP to enthrone discipline, dedication, loyalty as well as enhance the operations of the Agency.

The Daily Times recalls that the Director – General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah- Donli, on assumption of office about a year ago, promised to reposition the Agency with emphasis on transparency, dedication and prompt delivery of service in addition to reward system.

This promise was fulfilled in December 2017 when the Director – General rewarded several officers of the Agency who demonstrated exemplary characters and dedication to duties.

The latest action by the Management was the peak of a series of internal disciplinary measures earlier taken in strict compliance with the provisions of the Civil Service Rules and other extant labour laws.

The Agency outlined the offences committed by those involved to include arranging professional sureties for suspects for a fee, providing information about the operations of the Agency to outsiders for a fee thereby endangering the lives of Officers of the Agency, collection of bribe and aiding the escape of suspects.

Others are making love advances to potential victims of trafficking as a condition for rendering service to them, absence without official leave (AWOL) from July 2017 to May, 2018 and financial embarrassment among others.

The offences were categorized under corruption, divided loyalty, sabotage and gross indiscipline contrary to the Civil Service Regulations.

Commenting on the situation, the Director – General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah – Donli, who expressed sadness over the development, said though it was a difficult decision for management, but the Agency had to take the step in order to enhance the global trust entrusted in the Agency and to serve as a deterrence to others.

She said, “I am particularly sad over the situation, but the laid down procedures must be followed. The Agency is very important to not only the Nigerian government, but the entire global community and so we cannot afford to do anything less. I believe that other Officers of the Agency will take necessary lessons from this development”.

The breakdown of the disciplinary actions indicates that a total of six officers were sacked, two slammed with one year loss of seniority while one was retired compulsorily.