SEC Workers Shut Down Premises Over Gwarzo’s Reinstatement

The reinstatement of Mounir Gwarzo, the suspended Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has led to a dramatic  lock-up  of  the headquarters of the commission in Abuja.

Naija News understands that the lock-out was staged by members of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria to defy a court order for the reinstatement of their suspended boss, Gwarzo.

Gwarzo had been suspended by Kemi Adeosun, former minister of finance, over allegations of corruption and abuse of office.

He was accused of collecting severance package worth N104.85 million while still in service in violation of the civil service rules.

However, the industrial court recently ordered his reinstatement on grounds that the minister lacked powers to suspend him since he is not an employee of the commission.

He said that the minister, in the absence of the board, only had supervisory power, which does not include disciplinary power to suspend the DG.

Sanusi Kado, justice of the industrial court, held that it was only the permanent secretary in the ministry of finance, on the directive of the president, who had the power of suspension.

Meanwhile, in another development, the Arewa Youth Awareness Forum (AYAF) has said the North will oppose an attempt to foist Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker of the House of Representatives, saying his membership of the eighth National Assembly was full of controversies.