In a rare display of legislative oversight functions, the House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management Monday summoned Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice-President over an alleged illegal suspension of six directors at the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.
Others summoned for the same purpose were Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman of the Economic and Finan ial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Winifred Oyo-Ita, the Head of Service.
The committee reached the resolution at its resumed sitting of investigating the alleged violation of public trust at NEMA.
It will be recalled that the Committee at its first sitting on Wednesday, accused Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, the agency’s Director-General of breaching Public Procurement Act, PPA, by awarding contracts to ghost companies that did not meet legal requirements.
In their testimony at the session, the directors, who are currently being investigated by the EFCC, following a petition written against them for alleged abuse of office, claimed they were suspended for kicking against some of the policies of Mustapha Maihaja at NEMA.
The directors included Akinbola Gbolahan, (Finance and Accounts); Umesi Emenike, (Special Duties) and Alhassan Nuhu (Risk Reduction).
Others were Mamman Ali Ibrahim, the pilot in charge of air ambulance and Ganiyu Deji, aviation unit, the chief maintenance officer and Kanar Mohammed, the Director of Welfare.
Their suspension was effected by the agency’s Governing Council chaired by Vice President Osinbajo without due process.
Led by Isa Ali, the committee also summoned Magu and Oyo-Ita for further explanations.
Specifically, Magu was asked to appear before the committee to brief it on the interim report of the EFCC’s investigations concerning the suspended officers.
Also at the session was the Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Col. Hameed Ali.
His summon originated over alleged irregularities in the importation of 6776 metric tonnes of rice donated as relief materials by the Chinese government.
The hearing would continue at a later date.
