President Bola Tinubu has suspended the managing director and chief executive of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, indefinitely.
Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity announced this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. Also suspended indefinitely, are Olaniyi Netufo, executive director, corporate services, Barka Sajou, executive director, technical services and Sa’adatu Balgore, executive director, rural electrification fund (REF).
According to the statement, the suspension followed an investigation into the financial activities of the REA.
Ngelale said the officials were investigated over misappropriation of N1.2 billion over the past two years, some of which has already been recovered by anti-graft agencies.
The statement said, “In the light of new findings unearthed during a comprehensive investigation into the financial activities of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), 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.
“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.”
The president announced the appointment of Abba Abubakar Aliyu as the new MD and CEO of the agency.
Similarly, the statement named Ayoade Gboyega as executive director, corporate services; Umar Abdullahi Umar, executive director, technical services; Doris Uboh, executive director, rural electrification fund (REF); and Olufemi Akinyelure, head of project management unit.
Ngelale said Tinubu expects all appointees in his administration to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
The President also 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 Nigerians.