Tinubu Suspends Rural Electrification Agency MD, Three Others

Eko Hot Blog reports that President Bola Tinubu has directed the indefinite suspension of the Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad.

The president’s spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed the development in a statement on Thursday.

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Ahmad and some executive directors at REA had been accused of mismanagement of funds amounting to N1.2 billion over the past two years, some of which has already been recovered by anti-graft agencies.

The accusations prompted a “comprehensive investigation” into the agency’s financial activities.

The investigation has resulted in the unearthing of new findings that implicated the REA boss and three others, according to the president’s spokesperson.

Ngelale also revealed that the president suspended three executive directors of the agency, including Olaniyi Alaba Netufo — Executive Director, Corporate Services, Barka Sajou — Executive Director, Technical Services, and Sa’adatu Balgore — Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund (REF).

Consequently, Tinubu ordered a wider investigation into the conduct of the officials.

“In the light of new findings unearthed during a comprehensive investigation into the financial activities of the @TheREANigeria, President Bola Tinubu has approved the indefinite suspension of the Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, alongside three Executive Directors of the Agency, from office,” the statement reads.

“Furthermore, 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.”

By the directive of the President, the following qualified Nigerians are appointed to serve in the new management team of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in an acting capacity with immediate effect:

(1) Abba Abubakar Aliyu — Managing Director/CEO

(2) Ayoade Gboyega — Executive Director, Corporate Services

(3) Umar Abdullahi Umar — Executive Director, Technical Services

(4) Doris Uboh — Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund (REF)

(5) Olufemi Akinyelure — Head of Project Management Unit, Nigeria Electrification Project

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“President Bola Tinubu expects all appointees in his administration to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties and reiterates his determination to elevate the yearnings of Nigerians for good governance and qualitative service delivery above the narrow interests of individuals who are entrusted to provide critical services to the Nigerian people,” Ngelale added.

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