Rights Lawyer Petitions Tunji-Ojo, Demands Immediate Suspension of NSCDC Commandant Audi
A former Special Prosecutor, Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Properties, Tosin Ojaomo has petitioned the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo demanding immediate suspension of the Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Audi.
He said his suspension became imperative pending the completion of investigation of the financial records of the agency by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against him.
The petition dated May 15 and addressed to Tunji-Ojo was also copied to President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi and the Chairman of EFCC, Olanipekun Olukoyede.
Ojaomo said it was no longer news that the NSCDC has been under the investigative periscope of EFCC in the past few weeks with relation to allegations of financial mismanagement wherein the anti-graft agency has made considerable progress in the investigation.
He said: “We are compelled to make this request as the investigation of the agency cannot be thoroughly and discreetly conducted if the current Commandant General of the NSCDC is allowed to continue in office while the investigation continues because most of the financial activities of the agency which form the subject-matter of the investigation are conducted under the current CG’s watch.
“It will be in the interest of public safety and to safeguard the investigation process to prevent any possible interference in the investigation, that we request immediate recommendation of the suspension of the current commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to allow for an unfethered investigation into the subject matters of the investigation.
“The revelations that the current Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps is directly linked to the investigation wherein a company linked to him known as Keltes Security and Consultancy Limited was alleged to have received some contracts from Tantita Security Limited which is also a company under the agency’s supervision have raised more dust which may request the anti-corruption agencies to require some clarifications directly from him.
“In fact there is a pending allegation of unexplained property acquisition which was also leveled against him before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CBB).
“In view of these facts it will be in the interest of public safety and to protect the integrity of the office to suspend Dr. Abubakar Audi the current Commandant-General of NSCDC so that the EFCC can conduct a thorough and discreet investigation into the matter.”
Ojaomo said the application was brought pursuant to the Provision of Section 8 of the Nigeria – Security and Civil Defence Corps Act, 2003 (As Amended) and Section 11 of the Interpretation Act, 2004 which empowers the minister to recommend the appointment and removal from office of any person appointed by the President to the Office of the Commandant General of NSCDC.
