₦1.2bn fraud: Tinubu Suspends Top Officials From Rural Electrification Agency

President Bola Tinubu has removed Ahmad Salihijo, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency, and three Executive Directors, following revelations from a comprehensive investigation into financial misconduct within the agency.

The State House disclosed in a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, that the suspensions are indefinite.

In addition to Salihijo, Tinubu suspended Olaniyi Netufo, Executive Director, Corporate Services; Barka Sajou, Executive Director, Technical Services; and Sa’adatu Balgore, Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund.

The President has ordered a broader probe into alleged misexpenditure totaling over N1.2bn in the past two years, with some funds already recovered by anti-graft agencies, according to Ngelale.

Consequently, Tinubu appointed a new interim management team, including Abba Aliyu as Managing Director/CEO, Ayoade Gboyega as Executive Director, Corporate Services, Umar Umar as Executive Director, Technical Services, Doris Uboh as Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund, and Olufemi Akinyelure as Head of Project Management Unit, Nigeria Electrification Project.

The statement emphasized Tinubu’s commitment to transparency and accountability in governance, highlighting his determination to prioritize the public’s interest over individual agendas.