NIGCOMSAT gets acting MD as FG removes Ahmed-Rufai

The Federal Government has asked the Managing Director of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Engr. Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai, to proceed on indefinite leave.

This directive is to pave way for an investigation into the financial status of the company, NIGCOMSAT’s head of corporate communications, Sonny Aragba-Akpore, said in a statement in Abuja yesterday.

The statement said the Minister Of Communications Technology Omobola Johnson has directed Ms Abimbola Alale, the Executive Director (Marketing), to act as managing director, pending the conclusion of the investigation.

The statement said: “Following a ministerial directive by the communications technology minister, Mrs Omobola Johnson, the Board of Directors of Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd has asked the Managing Director, Engr. Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai, to proceed on indefinite leave.”

A source in the ministry said an anti-graft agency is currently investigating Ahmed-Rufai over allageations of mismanagement.

The source listed some of his allegation to include “insubordination to the minister, his unnecessary struggle of supremacy with management of National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA) and his one-man show in the running of the agency.”

Ahmed-Rufai started as Project Manager of NigComSat-1 before the establishment of NIGCOMSAT Limited in April 2006, when he was named Managing Director/Chief Executive.

He had nursed the ambition of turning the agency into a limited liability company and a sole controller of Nigeria’s satellites, but was opposed by the minister and many stakeholders in the industry.

Alale, the acting MD, also started as a member of the project team and was appointed Director of Marketing in 2006 and rose to the position of Executive Director Marketing.