President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the removal Professor Charles Uwakwe as the Registrar and Chief Executive of the National Examinations Council over financial mismanagement and abuse of office.
The development also affected four members of the management over offences bordering on financial impropriety.
Mr Abubakar Gana was subsequently appointed as the acting Registrar.
Uwakwe, who was initially suspended in May 2018, allegedly awarded contracts in collaboration with some officials in the council to the tune of N25b without following the due process.
Buhari’s directive was conveyed in a letter dated May 11 and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.
According to the letter, Uwakwe violated the Public Procurement Act (2007) and pursuant to PSR 030402 and Part 1 schedule 4 (i) of NECO Establishment Act.
Echono said, “After due consideration of the investigative panel on the allegation of unsatisfactory conduct levelled against you and some management staff of the council, Mr. President in exercise of his powers, has approved your removal as the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of National Examinations Council with effect from the date of your suspension from duty.”
The former Registrar was also directed to hand over all the government property in his custody to the acting Registrar.
In another letter dated May 11, the President, through the Permanent Secretary, approved the dismissal of four management officials.
The letter noted that the officials were guilty of financial impropriety, fraudulent practices, sabotage, among others.
Wow! that is serious