The Nation Newspaper

Tag: misconduct

  • Macquarie cruises through misconduct inquiry into Australia’s financial sector

    The CEO of Macquarie Group Ltd glided through an appearance at an inquiry into misconduct in Australia’s financial sector on Thursday, as the country’s largest investment bank has not been the subject of any allegations.

    The Royal Commission inquiry has shocked the country since hearings began in February with accusations of fee-gouging and board-level deception, wiping billions of dollars from the market capitalisation of many firms.

    The inquiry has focused mainly retail banking, and in contrast to the heads of Commonwealth Bank of Australia , who spent three days testifying, Macquarie CEO Nicholas Moore took just an hour.

    Due to retire next week after a decade as CEO, Moore told the inquiry that Macquarie executives earlier had mis-read changes in the stockbroking industry during a switch in focus to wealth management, but action had been taken several years ago to fix those shortcomings.

    “There was failure of recognition, of management, of the situation that we faced,” Moore said.

    Macquarie Equities agreed to a legally binding undertaking for the corporate regulator in 2013, after a review found poor compliance by its advisers dating back to 2008.

    And the inquiry was told that an independent review by KPMG in 2016 found the subsidiary was fully compliant.

    Although the focus of the inquiry lay elsewhere, there was still considerable interest in Moore’s appearance as Sydney-based Macquarie is often referred to as the “millionaires’ factory” because of its high executive salaries.

  • Lagos to punish two sanitation officers for ‘misconduct’

    Two Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) officers arrested last week in Apapa will be punished for alleged misconduct, Commissioner for the Environment, Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti said yesterday.

    Oduyomi Oluwakemi with Oracle Number 193886 and Ofoesuwa Oluwayemi – 194375 – were said to have conspired with some traders to display their wares on the road median.

    The officers, the commissioner said, would be dealt with in accordance with the laws to deter others.

    Durosinmi-Etti said: “Officers of L AGESC must maintain discipline and integrity in carrying out their duties, as they are ambassadors of the Lagos State Government. The state government has a policy of zero-tolerance on street trading, display of goods on road medians and roadside hawking. The government has given the LAGESC officials the mandate to effectively clamp down on all violators of the environmental laws. It is disheartening to discover that some officers still indulge in manipulating and contravening these laws. It is regrettable that some officers, even after thorough training on how to go about their duties, have decided to disregard their training and flout laid-down rules and regulations.”

    He said street traders and hawkers were found to be responsible for vandalising and defacing the environment.

    The commissioner warned LAGESC and other officers in the environment sector to adhere to the public service code of conduct, as government would not hesitate to prosecute anyone found contravening the laws.

    Durosinmi-Etti urged residents to be wary of overzealous officers or those with dubious character.

    He asked the public to report the activities of such officers to the ministry.

  • Assembly suspends three leaders for ‘misconduct’

    Three leaders of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) Students’ Union Government (SUG) have been suspended for by-passing the parliament.

    The legislative arm of the union, during an emergency sitting suspended the President, Ibrahim Kalgo, Financial Secretary Muazu Bello and Welfare Director, Abdulraman Abubakar for executing projects not approved by the Student Representatives’ Assembly (SRA).

    Kalgo and Abubakar were suspended for an unapproved elongation of Jattau Bridge, a walkway that extends fromthe  hostel to the academic area. The rehabilitation of the walkway allegedly cost N1,142,600, but construction was not approved by the parliament. The embattled union leaders were also indicted  for excess withdrawal to the tune of N59,880, above the approved amount for reconstruction of a reservoir at the female hostel.

    The Speaker, Sadiq Abdulrahim, said Bello  was suspended for giving the president and welfare director access to the union account to execute the unapproved projects.

    The president and financial secretary were suspended for three weeks, while the welfare director’s suspension will last for four weeks.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE after the sitting, Sadiq justified the suspension, saying: “This is a matter of democracy; when union officers are found wanting in any of their activities, we need to suspend them to enable us carry out thorough investigation.”

    The speaker said the parliament relied on the Reference 81 item XII of the union’s constitution, which states: “The SRA shall, when necessary, suspend any officer for a period of not more than eight weeks to conduct an enquiry into allegations made against such officer.”

    In his defence before members of the parliament, Ibrahim allegedly admitted by-passing the SRA in executing the projects, but pleaded with members not to suspend him.

    Muazu described his suspension as unconstitutional, saying it was only the congress that could suspend them from office.

    He said: “We may have had our faults for breaching the constitution, but we have pleaded with students publicly when we held the  congress. Students accepted our apologies, but the parliament went ahead to suspend us. This is against the rule.”

    The financial secretary said students overlooked their faults because the money was spent on projects that bordered on their welfare.

  • Akeredolu suspends council chief for ‘misconduct’

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has ordered the suspension of the Caretaker Chairman of Ondo West Local Government Area, Mr. Ebenezer Akinsulire.

    The governor’s directive followed a petition against Akinsulire, in which he was accused of offences, including gross misconduct.

    Akeredolu also ordered the Director of Local Government Administration (DLGA) to run the council until further notice.

    The governor set up a panel to examine allegations levelled against Akinsulire and make appropriate recommendations.

    Akinsulire is expected to hand over government property in his possession.

    The governor warned other political office holders that his administration has zero tolerance for misconduct.

     

  • Delta Varsity sacks six lecturers for ‘misconduct’

    •Four others demoted

    The Delta State University (DELSU) at Abraka has terminated the employment of six of its lecturers for offences ranging from sexual misconduct to extortion of students and leaking of the university’s examination questions in exchange for money.

    The sack followed the decision of the institution’s Governing Council, after considering the recommendations of a Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee.

    The committee found the affected lecturers culpable and recommended them for dismissal from the university. According to a bulletin issued by the university’s management, six of the lecturers were dismissed while four others were demoted and received various degrees of query for alleged misconducts.

    The bulletin, which was signed by the Registrar, Mr D. A. Urhibo, said: “This is to inform the workers, students and other members of the university community that the underlisted workers were disciplined by the University Governing Council for various offences at its 97th regular meeting on Friday, August 12`, 2016.”

  • Alleged misconduct: Govt replaces nine defence attaches

    Alleged misconduct: Govt replaces nine defence attaches

    Nine defence attaches in  Nigerian embassies have been recalled, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    Those dropped were in China, the United States, Britain, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mali, Benin Republic and Ghana. They have been replaced.

    The new Defence Attaches are Brig-Gen. T.O.B Ademola (Beijing) who was made the Commandant of the Amphibious Training School in Calabar in 2015;  an officer of the Armoured Corps, Brig-Gen. A.O. Abdullahi (London); Brig-Gen. I. Isa (New York); Col. N. U. Mukhtar(Islamabad); Col. K.C. Okoro(Addis Ababa) of the Nigerian Army Investigation Bureau; Col. M. Adamu (Dar-es-salaam); Col. I.E.E. Akpaumontia (Bamako) formerly of 9 Brigade; Col. A.A. Babalola(Cotonou) who was  Commanding Officer of  212 Battalion; and Col. H.D. Bobbo(Accra), who was once at the war front  in 27 Task Force Brigade, Yobe State.

    The dropped attache may face disciplinary action at home, a source said.

    But there is the thinking in the military that the recall allegedly violated the rules guiding the deployment of defence attaches.

    The attaches were said not to have been subjected to any disciplinary procedure before they were dropped.

    It takes between six weeks and six months to screen and secure accreditation for new defence attaches.

    The directive to recall the attaches was approved by the Minister of Defence, Brig-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, in a June 10 letter to some services, ministries and foreign missions.

    The Minister ordered the withdrawal of  the attaches “whose conduct was found prejudicial to Service discipline or committed various civil offences as stipulated in the relevant sections of the Armed Forces Act, CAP A20 the Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004”, the source said, adding:

    “One of the officers allegedly misbehaved during President Muhammadu Buhari’s overseas trip. He bungled logistics for a hitch-free visit and he was not remorseful.

    “The said attaché committed in unpardonable security breach. There is no way the government can retain such an officer in a sensi8tive post like this.”

    Another source said: “Some of the officers were implicated in the arms procurement deal. Others were axed for not being proactive in fostering a good relationship between Nigeria and their host countries.

    “While some were at their duty posts, some countries refused to either assist the nation in fighting Boko Haram insurgency or sell arms to Nigeria. They did not build enough trust between our country and their hosts.”

    The list of the new attaches has been released to the relevant agencies, ministries and foreign missions.

    Another source added: “Most of these new Defence Attaches are tested hands who have fought Boko Haram to a standstill.

    “I think their appointments have to do with the ongoing rejig of the nation’s military apparatchik.”

    In the military circles, the recall of the attache has generated comments.

    A source, who pleaded not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, said: “I think political exigencies are at play in dropping these defence attaches. The choice of attaches is always characterised by intrigues and lobbying.

    “As I speak with you, most of these attaches have not been summoned before any panel on their alleged misconduct. Officers are not in the picture of the offences allegedly committed by those recalled.

    “It is not tidy for us as a nation to replace defence attaches in the middle of their tenure. They should have allowed these attaches to complete their terms.”

  • Misconduct: Police dismisses ASP, demotes two others

    Misconduct: Police dismisses ASP, demotes two others

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the dismissal of one Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and the demotion of two other officers over various established cases of misconduct.

    The officers who had their ranks reduced were a Superintendent of Police (SP) and an Assistant Superintendent (ASP).

    This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission, and issued to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

    It said the commission rejected 23 appeals from some dismissed Policemen for reinstatement and restoration of ranks.

    The statement said the decisions were taken at the 15th Plenary Meeting of the commission presided by its Chairman, Mr Mike Okiro.

    However, it said the commission had approved the reinstatement of 10 other Police Officers, exonerated three and committed the dismissal of three others to retirement.

    The statement said one serving DSP and ASP received the punishments of severe reprimand, while an Assistant Commissioner, two DSPs and an ASP are to be issued letters of reprimand.

    Besides, it said an SP will receive letter of warning while an ASP was exonerated.

    Based on Court judgments, the statement said appeals from ex-Police Officers for reinstatement was approved by the commission which also endorsed the retirement of eight and rejected the appeals of 15 others.

    It said the commission’s decisions have since been communicated to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, for implementation.

     

  • CJN queries High Court judge for alleged misconduct

    CJN queries High Court judge for alleged misconduct

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has sent a memorandum to Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, for alleged misconduct.

    The memo, dated November 19,  was addressed to Justice Yunusa through  the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta.

    The CJN demanded an explanation from Justice Yunusa on a petition sent to the National Judicial Council (NJC) by a businesswoman, Mrs Rachidatou Abdou, who is a party in a suit before the judge.

    Justice Yunusa was given 14 days  to respond to the CJN’s memorandum.

    In her petition of November 11, Mrs. Abdou, a Beninois resident in Nigeria, narrated how Justice Yunusa allegedly connived with the lawyer to her opponent to deny her justice.

    The petitioner said she wrote to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on alleged manipulation of incorporation documents of a company, Rana Prestige Industries Limited, which she co-owned with a fellow Beninois, Mr. Gnahoue Sourton Nazaire.

    She said her grouse about the co-director was that he allegedly colluded with the lawyer, who handled the incorporation, to change the share capital holding structure from 50 per cent each between her and Nazaine to 60 per cent and 40 per cent in favour of her partner.

    Mrs Abdou said her partner allegedly forged her signature to change the share holding of the company.

    The petitioner also said her co-director allegedly connived with his younger brother, Mr. Denon Modeste, who she described as an employee of the company, to divert the company’s funds while she was in France for six years.

    She accused Justice Yunusa of conniving with the lawyer to her opponent to frustrate EFCC’s probe of her petition.

    Mrs Abdou said her opponent, through their lawyer, filed three suits to stop EFCC’s investigation of her petition.

    The petitioner expressed shock that Justice Yunusa had allegedly been communicating with the lawyer to her opponent before the suits were filed and when they were still pending, contrary to judicial officers’ ethics.

    She averred that Justice Yunusa spoke severally with the lawyer to her opponent and exchanged Short Messaging Service (SMS) with him.

    Mrs Abdou vowed to expose the alleged conversation anytime she is invited.

    The petitioner alleged that her co-director had been boasting in Cotonou that he had pocketed the judge in the matter.

    She also said Justice Yunusa’s judgment in a suit delivered on August 18, confirmed her worst fear and confirmed her allegation when she was fined N6,000,000 as damages.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Buhari okays Justice Akanbi’s retirement for misconduct

    Buhari okays Justice Akanbi’s retirement for misconduct

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the compulsory retirement of Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt division, with immediate effect for misconduct.

    It was learnt the President’s approval followed a recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC) after its 74th meeting, on November 4 and 5.

    NJC’s Acting Director, Information, Soji Oye, who confirmed this in a statement yesterday, said Justice Akanbi was fired for various allegations levelled against him by Shell Petroleum Development Corporation Nigeria Limited in its petition to the NJC.

    Shell was said to have accused Akanbi of unilaterally appointing Mr. Emeka Nkwo of CYN-JAC (NIG) Ltd, who was not proposed by any of the parties as referee or valuer in Suit Nos FHC/PH/CS/434/2012 and FHC/PH/CS/435/2012.

    “He also appointed the same referee or valuer in Suit FHC/PH/CS/25/2003, which is another matter involving one of the parties in the first suit.

    “He heard and concluded the case without dealing with the Notice of Preliminary Objection on the Jurisdiction of his court.

    “He sat on the case in the Federal High Court, Yenagoa in Suit FHC/YNG/CS/30/2013 after a new judge had been transferred to the state without a fiat from the chief judge of the Federal High Court.

    “The judge also delivered the ruling in suit No: FHC/PH/CS/07/2009, four months after final addresses were taken without any cogent reason contrary to the constitutional provisions that judgment should be delivered within a period of 90 days.

    “Justice Akanbi also dismissed the application to set aside the report prepared by the valuer, CYN – JAC (NIG) Ltd and later changed the ruling to judgment, which prevented the respondent from pursuing the application for a stay of proceedings at the Court of Appeal.

    “That Justice Akanbi also failed to give a copy of his ruling delivered on June 12, 2013 to the complainant until June 28, 2013.

    “In the exercise of its constitutional powers, at the same meetings of November 4 and 5, 2015, council had suspended Justice Lambo Akanbi from office before the approval for his compulsory retirement by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR,” Oye said.

     

  • Society decries professional misconduct

    Society decries professional misconduct

    The Executive Secretary of the West African Society on Business Ethics (WASBE) Dr Adeyeye Adewole has decried the lack of ethical practices in businees across Nigeria and the West African sub region.

    Dr Adewole, who spoke to reporters in Lagos, said: “A given research conducted overtime among students, institutional people, and corporate businessmen confirmed that they are confronted with the canker worm of unethical practices in business.

    “There’s the issue of corruption, issue of cutting corners, the issue of public procurement malpractices and others. We now have a situation where we have low standard quality of activity as a consequence of unethical business practices.”

    Adewole, who is also the Head/Coordinator-Generalof Entrepreneurial Studies at the Ondo State University of Science and Technology, explained further the necessity for intervention by WASBE to correct this ethical ill.

    According to him, the West African Society on Business Ethics is an idea of a collection of academics and some professionals in the academia. “We looked around and we realised that our business sector generally lack of ethics in business is impeding business substantially in Africa, and which also snowballed into entrenching poverty and underdevelopment across the West African Sub region.

    “We, therefore, felt that we needed to do something about it, knowing that business ethics is an extension of applied ethical standard, which is the application of ethical principles which should guide and direct human activity.”

    As an organisation, WASBE, which is made up of members all over West Africa, is laid out in various categories of membership, a Board of Trustees, Associates, Fellows, Institutional members, Corporate members and students.

    “The Associates are made up of researchers in the universities who have a bias for establishing Ethical practices in business. We also have the fellows. These are people that we have watched closely and are convinced that have successfully injected ethical practices in business as a front burner in their organisation and are respected members of society.

    “We are making a lot of efforts, especially at the Federal Ministry of Education, to insist that we should now have business ethics in the curriculum of business school activities in all our polytechnics and universities across the West African sub-region. As we link up with the ministry, we will also be talking to the Nigerian Universities Commission.”

    Adewole said WASBE  would hold a two-day interactive conference in Lagos that would discuss how “we will institutionalise business ethics into our Government, Academic, Social and Corporate practices in the West African sub region” in November.