Latest information reaching PageOne’s business desk that a group of people identified as Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, SEC Branch, locked up offices of the Headquarters of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC.
They are protesting the possible reinstatement of Mournir Gwaarzo.
One of the protestors who identified himself as Comrade Nelson Oleghe, Chairman, Association of Senior Staff Union, SEC Branch, “We are SEC staff members of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, SEC branch.
“We are a labour union that presses home demands and concern with the welfare of members,” he said.
“The suspended DG was charged to court by ICPC. The case was poorly handled by the judge and ICPC.
In all of the court cases, the issues of fraud were not mentioned and areas pointed out by the SIP was not touched by the judges.
The spokesperson for the group Oleghe said the union learned from a reliable source that the suspended DG after being ” pronounced free by the court” he wants to stage a comeback and resume duties.
“After due deliberations at an emergency meeting held on Sunday June 02, 2019 we have unanimously agreed to hold a peaceful protest to stop the purported action about to be taken by the suspended DG. We call on all staff of the union, press and general public to be aware and witness our action.
“We believe that an institution that prescribes good Corporate Governance should be seen taking the lead. We say no to Gwarzo” he said.
It would be recalled that in 2017, Gwarzo was suspended from his position by Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, over allegations of financial impropriety.
An administrative panel of inquiry found him guilty of paying himself severance benefits of N104.8 million and N10.4 million in excess of car grant while still in service, recommended his suspension which was approved by Adeosun.
However, Gwarzo did not lay low. He went ahead to challenge his suspension at the National Industrial Court.
The seating judge dismissed the suspension on technicalities that”
“The Minister, in the absence of the board, only had supervisory power, which he said does not include disciplinary power to suspend the DG. He further held that it was only the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, on the directive of the president, who had the power of suspension.”
The suspension of Gwarzo was declared null and void and of no effect.
The SEC is Nigeria’s apex capital markets and securities regulator.
