Finance Minister, Gwarzo Battle At House Public Hearing

 

The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun and the suspended Director of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Munir Gwarzo, on Tuesday battled each other at the public hearing by the House of Reps’ Committee on Capital market to intervene in the conflict between the Minister and the suspended DG.

The minister, in November 2017, announced the suspension of Gwarzo to allow for an unhindered investigation of several allegations of financial impropriety levelled against him in line with the Public Service Rules (PSRs) 03405 and 03406.

Two management staff of the Commission, Mr. Abdulsalam Naif Habu, Head of Media Division and Mrs. Anastasia Omozele Braimoh, Head of Legal Department, who were alleged to have been engaged in financial impropriety in the Commission were also suspended.

Speaking at the hearing on Tuesday, Adeosun declared that Gwarzo remains suspended until further notice.

She told the Committee, Chaired by Hon Tajudeen Yusuf, that “Munir remains suspended and I’m sending my recommendations to Mr President today (Tuesday).”

But Gwarzo, through his Counsel, GUK Igwe, SAN, told the House panel that Adeosun was after him because of her desire to protect Oando Plc, a firm he was investigating before he was asked to go on suspension adding that the Minister does not have such right to suspend him.