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President Bola Tinubu has approved the indefinite suspension of the Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, and three Executive Directors of the Agency, based on recent revelations arising from a comprehensive investigation into the financial activities of the REA.
The Presidential Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, stated that the suspension comes in the wake of new findings uncovered during the investigation into the financial activities of the REA.
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The suspended officials include Olaniyi Netufo, Executive Director of Corporate Services; Barka Sajou, Executive Director of Technical Services; and Sa’adatu Balgore, Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Fund (REF).
According to the statement, the President has ordered a broader investigation into the conduct of the aforementioned officials, specifically focusing on fraudulent mis-expenditure amounting to over N1.2 billion over the past two years. Some of the misappropriated funds have already been recovered by anti-graft agencies.
“As directed by the President, the following qualified Nigerians are appointed to serve in the new management team of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA),” the statement read.
tAbba Aliyu has been named as the Managing Director/CEO in an acting capacity, and Ayoade Gboyega has been appointed as the Executive Director of Corporate Services. Others include Umar Abdullahi Umar, Executive Director of Technical Services; Doris Uboh, Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Fund (REF); and Olufemi Akinyelure, Head of the Project Management Unit for the Nigeria Electrification Project.
“The President 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 prioritize the yearnings of Nigerians for good governance and qualitative service delivery over the narrow interests of individuals entrusted to provide critical services to the Nigerian people,” the statement revealed.
