By N1.2bn misappropriation: President Tinubu suspends rural electrification boss, team members
Ghazali Ibrahim
President Bola Tinubu has suspended the Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad and three executive directors of the agency over alleged financial misconduct.
Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson, confirmed the suspension in a statement on Thursday. The decision followed an investigation into the alleged financial misappropriation of N1.2 billion at the agency.
Asides Ahmad, some other members of his team were also axed. They include Olaniyi Alaba Netufo, Barka Sajou, and Sa’adatu Balgore, who were accused of involvement in fraudulent misexpenditure totaling over N1.2 billion over the past two years.
“President Tinubu has ordered a wider investigation into the conduct of the aforementioned officials in a fraudulent misexpenditure amounting to over N1.2 billion over the past two years, some of which has already been recovered by anti-graft agencies,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has appointed a new management team to lead REA in an acting capacity. Abba Abubakar Aliyu will assume the role of Managing Director/CEO, with Ayoade Gboyega, Umar Abdullahi Umar, and Doris Uboh appointed as Executive Directors. Additionally, Olufemi Akinyelure will serve as the Head of Project Management Unit for the Nigeria Electrification Project.
