Posted by Michael Faloseyi, Onyedi Ojeabor, & Tobi Soniyi, Abuja on
Three directors and an assistant director of the Federal Ministry of Education named in the N55million bribe-for-budget scandal involving the former Minister of Education, Prof. Fabian Osuji, have been placed on an indefinite suspension.
Three directors and an assistant director of the Federal Ministry of Education named in the N55million bribe-for-budget scandal involving the former Minister of Education, Prof. Fabian Osuji, have been placed on an indefinite suspension.
But the Executive Secretary of the National University Commission, Prof. Peter Okebukola, is slated to be a witness in the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on the scam.
The suspension order on the directors is either a prelude to punishment or their possible exoneration by the Federal Civil Service Commission.
The affected officials are Dr. P. S. Abudu, who was before the incident Director of Higher Education, Federal Inspectorate Division; Mr. Olu Ilesanmi, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics; Mr. B.B. Ibe, Director of Administration; and Mr. Frank Ike, Deputy Director, Accounts and Finance.
A source in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation said that the FCSC had intensified investigation into their cases.
Declining comment on the nature of punishment that might be prescribed for the officials, the source explained that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation was not responsible for discipline and promotion of senior civil servants.
He added that the nationwide broadcast by the President in May, over the scandal, was a directive to the Head of Service to refer the directors' case to the civil service commission, which is statutorily mandated to handle punishment and promotion of senior civil servants.
The source explained that the directors were queried immediately after the broadcast, and that their responses were sent to the FCSC for necessary action.
Another source in the ministry confirmed the development, saying cases of corruption took time before being disposed of, and that this one might not be an exception.
Meanwhile, the EFCC has enlisted one of the affected officials, Ike, as a witness in the suit it filed in the Abuja court.
Sources said that Ike would be required to testify on how Osuji summoned him to his office and asked him to raise N35million, to settle an emergency situation that arose at Suleja Academy.
He will also show how he raised additional N20million through the NUC, and supervised the movement of the money into the ministry's bus to the Apo legislative quarters.
Others listed as witnesses for the EFCC include Mr. Andrew Ugwu, the head messenger; Mrs. Jean Chi Ejere, confidential secretary in the Ministry, and Mr. Njoku Ejike.
Those listed in the suit as defendants in the N55million scandal are the former President of the Senate, Chief Adolphus Wabara; Senators Ibrahim Abdulazeez, John Azuta Mbata, Emmanuel Okpede and Badamasi Maccido.
Others are Mr. Garba Shehu Matazu, and Osuji.
The PUNCH, Tuesday, August 16, 2005