Tinubu suspends REA MD, EDs over N1.2bn fraud, appoints replacements

President Bola Tinubu has slammed an indefinite suspension on the Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad.

The CEO was suspended alongside three Executive Directors of the Agency.

Those suspended with Ahmad are: Olaniyi Alaba Netufo — Executive Director, Corporate Services; Barka Sajou — Executive Director, Technical Services; and Sa’adatu Balgore — Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund (REF).

The President hinged the suspension on “comprehensive investigation into the financial activities of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).”

Consequently, 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.”

Meanwhile, the President, in a statement issued on Thursday, March 7, 2024, by his spokesman, has appointed, in acting capacity, the following with immediate effect:

(1) Abba Abubakar Aliyu — Managing Director/CEO

(2) Ayoade Gboyega — Executive Director, Corporate Services

(3) Umar Abdullahi Umar — Executive Director, Technical Services

(4) Doris Uboh — Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund (REF)

(5) Olufemi Akinyelure — Head of Project Management Unit, Nigeria Electrification Project

“President Bola Tinubu expects all appointees in his administration to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties and 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 the Nigerian people,” the Presidency stated.

The Star