EFCC’s Hammer Dangles, As Ajaokuta Steel Boss, Abdul-Akaba Reportedly Forced To Retire Over Alleged Fraud
Sumaila Abdul-Akaba’s seven-year period as the Sole Administrator of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited has been forced to an end, as he now faces a probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), according to Sahara Reporters.
The online medium reported that the company prepared a memo saying Abdul-Akaba completed his tenure in office but it was understood that the EFCC probe actually abruptly ended his administration and forced his resignation.
SaharaReporters claimed that his tenure simply elapsed on October 10, 2024, according to the memo it said it obtained.
According to the memo, dated October 14, 2024, from the Head of General Administration, Mr. Ahmed, S.A., Abdul-Akaba’s departure “was merely a result of completing his tenure, not resignation.”
“The Ministry of Steel Development has approved Kanwai Atungs Joseph, the most senior Engineer and General Manager of Engineering Works, to oversee the company’s affairs until a new Sole Administrator is appointed.”
The memo added, “Following the completion of the tenure of Engr. Sumaila Abdul-Akaba, FNSE on 10th October, 2024, the Ministry of Steel Development has approved that the most senior Engineer in the Company, Engr. Kanwai, Atungs Joseph (General Manager -Engineering Works) to oversee the affairs of the Company pending the appointment of a substantive Sole Administrator.
“All Head of Departments are to bring this information to the attention of all staff and enjoined them to accord him their full cooperation.”
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SaharaReporters learnt that despite the memo stating that the tenure of the outgone Sole Administrator elapsed on October 10 according to the memo, he actually left office on October 14, four days after the expiration of the purported tenure.
Meanwhile, sources told SaharaReporters that the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, has also resubmitted his name to the Senate Committee on Steel Development for reappointment in contravention of extant laws establishing Ajokuta Steel.
“We have it in good authority that the Minister has submitted his name to the Senate for reconfirmation as the next Sole Administrator of Ajokuta Steel Company. Meanwhile, while the memo of October 14, stated that he has completed his tenure on October 10, why was he in office till October 14? Again there’s no company or federal government parastatal that the tenure of its leadership is beyond five years,” stated one of the sources.
“So we suspect that because of the petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Minister and ministry realised that his tenure in office has elapsed to stall investigation of his corruption activities.”
The Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council (NENYLC) had in September, petitioned the anti-graft agencies alleging corrupt practices and mismanagement under Abdul-Akaba’s leadership.
The group cited widespread allegations of job racketeering, kickbacks, inflated contracts, and diversion of funds meant for the company.
The EFCC in acknowledgement letter of the petition, numbered EFCC/PET/HOR/2914/2024, stated “This is to certify that the petition with the following details was received by the commission on this day, Wednesday 4th September, 2024 at 03:14PM.
The petition was titled: “Petition to the EFCC Corrupt practices and mismanagement at the Ajaokuta Steel Company.”
(Sahara Reporters)
