Civil Servants’ Union Backs FG’s Suspension of Gwarzo from SEC

Chineme Okafor

Senior workers in the federal civil service yesterday weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding the suspension of Mr. Muonir Gwarzo, who was suspended by the federal government from his position as the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), saying allegations of his corrupt practices in office should be treated fairly and without any diversion.

The workers under their umbrella union, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), stated their support of the government’s suspension of Gwarzo.

They said it was necessary he stepped aside to allow for full and fair investigations on claims against him.

They also expressed their appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the action, noting that the suspension of Gwarzo was timely and needed to save the country’s capital market from potential dangers that could have followed his continued stay in office.

The union claimed they do not believe Gwarzo was suspended on account of SEC’s forensic audit of Oando Plc, and that such claims were deliberate tactics to divert public attention from the allegations of corrupt practices levelled against the suspended director general.

Mr. Isaac Ojemhenke, who signed a statement on behalf of the union in Abuja, explained that the union wanted the corruption allegation against Gwarzo to be treated on its merit without interrupting it allegations that the ministry of finance was interfering in the operations of the SEC.

Ojemhenke, alleged that Gwarzo, had in the last two years made efforts to abolish the workers’ union in SEC to pave the way for his alleged corrupt acts in office.

According to him, the unions would not accept attempt by the House of Representatives to restore Gwarzo back to his office.

He said the issue of his suspension from office was very clear and that it bothered on “serious breach of the rules governing parastatals of government.

“The attempt being made change the narrative by bringing in the issue of forensic audit of Oando is neither here nor there. The right thing has been done by the government and we support the action taken,” said Ojemhenke.

He further stated: “The capital market as we are all aware is very sensitive and strives on integrity. As the DG of the apex regulator of the Nigerian capital market, who currently has several corruption allegations levelled against him, it is extremely important that he clears his name from these allegations for the purpose of integrity in the capital market.”