EFCC may arrest director for negligence of duty

There were indications on Friday that the Director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ashishana Okauru, might be arrested if he refuses to report at his duty post whenever the commission asks him to do so.
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EFCC Chairman, Mrs Farida Waziri

This followed the rejection of his resignation by the EFCC Chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri, who also placed him on suspension. A source said it was wrong for Okauru to stick to his guns when he was aware of the procedure and rules guiding his employment. It was also gathered that the top echelon of the commission was not happy with the controversy that trailed his purported resignation.

The source added that Okauru was aware that his letter of suspension was on the way and that was why he quickly resigned and leaked it to the press to pre-empt the commission’s disciplinary letter. The source said, “He may be declared wanted or even be arrested if he does not show up at the office at the end of his suspension. It is the outcome of the investigation being carried out by the commission on the allegations levelled against him that will determine what will happen to him at the end of the day. But one thing is sure, he is still in the service of EFCC, as he has not been sacked, dismissed or deemed to have resigned. But if he does not show up at the end of his suspension, if required to do so, he risks a serious sanction.”

But when contacted the acting spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujuaren, refused to be categorical on what action the commission would take against Okauru. He merely said that the commission had a way of dealing with such matters when they arose. He told our correspondent on the telephone that since the issue was an internal one, it would be handled according to the rules and regulations of the commission. He said, “The issue at hand is an internal matter. We have rules and regulations on such issues and when the time comes, such rules and regulations will be enforced.”

The commission had claimed in a statement signed by Uwujuaren that Okauru’s suspension was based on negligence and dereliction of duty.