SEC DG, 2 others suspended over financial impropriety

 

THE Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has ordered suspension of Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, from Office, to allow for an unhindered investigation of several allegations of financial impropriety leveled against the Director-General.
The statement signed by Deputy Director, Press Federal Ministry of Finance, Patricia Deworitshe stated that the suspension is in line with the Public Service Rules (PSRs) 03405 and 03406.
Suspended SEC DG was alleged of illegally paid self severance benefit, awarded contracts to his companies.
He was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan for a first term of five years on May 22, 2015.
According to the statement, “the Minister has set up an Administrative Panel of Inquiry (API) to investigate and determine the culpability of the Director-General.
She has directed the suspended SEC Director-General to immediately handover to the most senior officer at the Commission, pending the conclusion of investigation by the API.”
Also suspended are two management staff of the Commission – Mr. Abdulsalam Naif Habu, Head of Media Division and Mrs. Anastasia Omozele Braimoh, Head of Legal Department – who have been alleged to engage in financial impropriety in the Commission