Bala-Usman was suspended by Amaechi on Buhari’s orders
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A panel set up to investigate alleged misdeeds of suspended Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Managing Director Hadiza Bala-Usman is yet to quiz her six months on.
Bala-Usman, who was Chief of Staff to Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai before her stint at the NPA, was suspended on May 6 by Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi on the orders of President Muhammadu Buhari.
After a publicised feud with Amaechi, she was accused of breaching unspecified rules and suspended pending the outcome of an investigation.
Amaechi’s close ally Mohammed Koko was appointed MD of NPA in an acting capacity. Koko has since been named in the Pandora Papers as having allegedly breached the Code of Conduct Act by not declaring personal offshore assets.
The PUNCH reports that On May 11, six days after Bala-Usman’s suspension, Amaechi set up a committee of 11 members to probe NPA records dating back to 2016 when she was appointed MD.
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Probe panel terms of reference
Amaechi asked the committee to, among other terms,
- Examine and investigate the administrative policies and strategies adopted by Bala-Usman and confirm compliance with laws and rules from 2016.
- Examine and investigate the termination of NPA contracts and confirm compliance with the terms of such contracts, court rulings, and presidential directives.
The committee was not given a deadline to submit its report.
Buhari in his response in July to a lawsuit filed by a group which challenged Bala-Usman’s re-appointment in January, said she had been sacked already – even though no letter of termination had been handed to her.
Withdrawal of panel invitations
The PUNCH cited official documents which show that the panel is yet to question Bala-Usman six months after her suspension.
A letter which asked her to appear before the panel said the panel had invited her twice but later withdrew the invitations.
A letter dated September 23, 2021 marked T0160/S221/Vol 1 and signed by Panel Assistant Secretary Balaraba Wali told her not to appear before for now.
“I am directed by the chairman to inform you that the panel will not be able to take you on September 28 and 29, 2021 as earlier scheduled due to unforeseen circumstances.
“In (the) light of the above, kindly note that a new date will be communicated to you in due course; the panel regrets any inconvenience this postponement may cause to you,” the letter reads.
Transportation Ministry spokesman Eric Ojiekwe said he had no update on the matter.
