The leadership dispute at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has not subsided in spite of the instruction from Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, a Federal Commissioner, that he had not yet received the note of handover necessary to take over as the acting chairman of the Bureau.
He charged that Murtala Aliyu Kankiya, a fellow Federal Commissioner, had disregarded the SGF’s order to transfer the bureau’s leadership to him till a permanent CCB chair was appointed.
Ehiozuwa stated that Murtala’s assertion that he is the most senior defies logic.
Ehiozuwa claims that the agency’s issue was started by Prof. Mohammed Isah, the outgoing CCB Chairman, when he turned the reins over to Kankiya on November 6 at 9:30 p.m.
There has been crisis in the CCB since November 7, when Kankiya and Ehiozuwa have been jostling for the office of the acting chairman of the Bureau.
The two Federal Commissioners lay claim to the most senior board members and should lead the agency in acting capacity.
They have approached the SGF for intervention and justice.
In a November 23 memo to the SGF, Kankiya insisted that he was the most senior Federal Commission to serve as the acting chairman of CCB.
But in another memo to the SGF on November 24, Ehiozuwa accused Kankiya of disobeying a directive to hand over to him as the senior.
The letter reads: “Your attention is by this letter drawn to an outright insubordination and disobedience to unlawful act being carried out byBarr. Kankiya A. Murtala in Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
“Instead of handing over the acting chairmanship to the most senior board member, he has decided to discredit your above mentioned directives as contained in the circular Ref. No. SGF/ OP/I/S.3/ T/ 39.
“Following the above directives of your office in a letter marked SGF.19/824/C.3/III/534 and dated November 22, 2023, directing Barr. Murtala Aliyu Kankiya to handover the position of acting chairmanship of the Code of Conduct Bureau to the most senior board member of the Bureau and which happens to be me.
“Barr. Murtala Aliyu Kankiya, instead of handing over on November, 23, 2023 as directed, has embarked on making frivolous publications, including an internal memo, discrediting the letter as fake with the clear intentions of inciting the staff, management and board members of the Bureau.
“In the least, every responsible public officer/servant knows that in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules (PSR), every lawful orders/directives, such as the one in questions must be obeyed and failure to do so amount to insubordination which is a serious misconduct and attract punishable offence.
“The claim by Barr. Murtala Aliyu Kankiya that he is the most senior board member is not only wrong, but misleading and aimed at inciting crisis in the Bureau.
“It is a well-established fact that the appointment of the chairman and board members of the Bureau falls on the President, C-in-C Schedule in Section 171(2d) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
“These appointments are those with special character and cannot be coalesce, bearing in mind that everyone of such appointment follows separate and fresh process. Appointment letter and documentation are for purpose of seniority determination.
“Worthy of note is that Barr. Kankiya resigned his appointment in 2022 before the end of his tenure scheduled for November 7, 2023 to pursue elective position for House of Representatives and lost the election.
“He was appointed again by the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari on a fresh appointment of five-year tenure on 29th March, 2023. His claim that he served for his initial five-year term and was reappointed on 29th March 2023 is nothing but lies.
“In view of the prevailing atmosphere in the office and to put an end to his refusal to handover, I suggest that a mandate letter be issued to me forthwith to take over as the acting chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau. Your early action on this matter will be highly appreciated.”
In a November 8 letter to the SGF, Ehiozuwa had alleged that the immediate Isah, in his capacity as the then CCB chair, “clandestinely handed over on 6th November, 2023 by 9pm to Kankiya, who is number three (3) in the ranking of Federal Commissioners of the CCB.”
Prof Isah, who responded to an enquiry from our correspondent yesterday, said: “This is clear exhibition of ignorance of how the system operates. Only the President has the power to swear in someone to an office.
“Even the so much-talked about acting chairman, I didn’t hand over to Kankiya as acting chairman.”
In the November 23 letter, Kankiya told the SGF that he was the most senior federal commissioner.
He said: “Pursuant to your letter dated 22nd November, 2023, with reference number SGF.19/824/C.3/III/533 on the above subject matter directing that I immediately handover to the most senior Federal Commissioner, I wish to state that I am the most senior Federal Commissioner in the Bureau being appointed on the 7th of November, 2018 and reappointed for second term on the 29th of March, 2023 for another term of five years.”
“Based on the date of appointment, the list of seniority of commissioners in CCB as follows: Murtala A. Kankiya (7/11/2018; 29/3/2023); Benedict Umeano (20/1/2021); Hon. Ehiozuwa J. Agbonayinma (20/1021); Mr. Zephaniah Ishaku Bulus (29/3/2023); Taofeeq Abdulsalam (29/3/2023); and Prof. Juwairiyya Badamasi (29/3/2023).
“Therefore, the handing over made to me by Prof. Mohammed Isah on the 8th of November, 2023 following his end of tenure was made in line with the said provisions of the circular as the most senior Federal Commissioner in the Bureau. The facts of this seniority list are in the records of your office.
“In view of the above, I hope this will help to guide your decision and recognize that I am the most senior Federal Commissioner amongst the serving members.
“The handing over to me was without any form of disregard to established and extant rules. Please find attached copies of letters of appointment for your perusal and guidance. While looking forward to your further directives, please accept the assurances of my esteem regards as always.
