R-L: Senate Committee Chairman on Establishment, Senator Cyril Fasuyi insisting the right thing must be done. As Charles E. Sylvester Emukowhate sat perplexed
Fraud: Senate Moves to Sanitize Federal Institutions, Steps Down Appointment of Emukowhate as EDF NSITF
…Accused of holding dual appointments
…Failure to render financial accounts for four years in PENCOM
By Raphael Ekpang
Just like a popular saying in Nigeria’s local parlance, ‘If corruption no kill us, we go kill corruption’ the Nigerian senate through its committee on establishment on Tuesday, October 22, rose to the occasion as its stepped down President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s nominee of the Executive Director (Finance) of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSIFT), Charles E. Sylvester Emukowhate over allegations of dual appointments and failure to render financial accounts during his previous tenure at the National Pension Commission (PENCOM).
Emukowhate is currently serving at the board of South South Development Commission (SSDC), but Tuesday’s revelations at the national assembly during the nominees’ screening were an eye opener and coupled with the fact that the 10th Senate under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio is doing everything possible within its reach to at least reduce corruption in public service.
Mr. Emukowhate has been appointed as the Executive Director (Finance) of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSIFT), but on his appearance for screening, a petition alleging his dual appointments and failure to render financial accounts for four years was already waiting for him at the committee’s secretariat.
Meanwhile, the committee chairman, Senator Cyril Fasuyi had led the screening of other nominees smoothly from the onset until the turn of Emukowhate which became dramatic when the petition against him was read before the committee.
The petition alleged that Dr. Emukowhate was still serving as a Board Member of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) while also being appointed to serve at the NSITF, a situation the committee described as a breach of the Public Service Rules, the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and the Federal Character Commission (Establishment) Act.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, who presided over the session, described the allegations as serious and weighty, insisting that the committee could not go ahead with his screening until the issues raised were properly investigated.
“We received a petition alleging that Dr. Charles Emukowhate is currently holding two federal appointments. This contravenes public service regulations, constitutional provisions, and the Federal Character principle of equity in public appointments. We cannot proceed with his confirmation until the issues are fully investigated,” Senator Fasuyi said.
The lawmaker further revealed that the committee had received credible reports indicating that under Mr. Emukowhate’s watch as Finance Commissioner, PENCOM had failed to submit any audited financial report for the past four years, a breach of financial accountability and transparency standards.
“These are serious issues that border on accountability and integrity. The Commission has not rendered any financial account for four years, which raises questions about transparency in its financial management. Until these issues are clarified, we cannot proceed with his reappointment,” Fasuyi added.
Despite the weighty allegations against him, Core Reporters who witnessed the screening on Tuesday at NASS report that Emukowhate was unable to put up a defence to that effect and even when pressmen sought for clarification on the allegations, he blatantly snubbed them and diverted his way to a different direction to avoid facing the camera.
However, other nominees for the NSITF Board were screened and cleared by the committee after being found qualified and meeting all statutory requirements. Those cleared include the appointed Board Chairman, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje, among others.
Senator Fasuyi commended the cleared nominees for their competence, assuring that the committee remained committed to strengthening Nigeria’s pension administration system and promoting transparency in the management of retirees’ funds.
Meanwhile, constitutional provisions strictly prohibit dual appointments in the public service. Section 318(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Fifth Schedule, Part I, Paragraph 2(b) of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers state that a public officer shall not engage or participate in the management or running of any other public office, except as permitted by law.
Similarly, the Public Service Rules (PSR) 030402 classify holding two concurrent government appointments as a serious misconduct offence, punishable by dismissal from service.
Senator Fasuyi, in his closing remarks, emphasized that the Senate would not overlook any breach of law or ethical standards, stressing that the committee would conduct due diligence on the matter before submitting its final report to the Senate plenary for further consideration.
“The Senate is committed to transparency and accountability. We must uphold the integrity of public institutions and ensure that those handling public funds meet ethical and constitutional standards,” Fasuyi stated.
With the other nominees cleared, attention now shifts to the outcome of the investigation into Mr. Emukowhate’s case, which will determine whether his appointment as NSITF Executive Director of Finance will be approved or rejected by the Senate.
