TheCable

David Paradang, former comptroller-general (CG) of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), on Friday, told a federal high court in Abuja that Abba‎ Moro, former minister interior,  withdrew the appointment given to the families of victims of the failed 2014 immigration recruitment exercise.

Testifying against Moro before Nnamdi Dimgba, a judge, Paradang said the appointment letters given to some of the 45 beneficiaries- three family members of each of the 15 deceased job seekers – were withdrawn because the minister claimed that the process was illegal.

“Immediately after the letters were sent, the board (board of the ministry of interior) asked them to bring back the letters of appointment,” he said.

“The ministry said that the appointments given to them were illegal.”

However, he added that while some of those given appointment as junior officers were retained, all those recruited as senior officers were sacked.

Earlier, Paradang  told the court that the NIS recorded a total of 15 deaths in the failed exercise of March 2014.

“At the close of the day, we had 15 casualties and the Department of State Services (DSS) later called to inform us that they were 165 persons injured nationally,” he said.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan had given appointment to the family members of those who died in the exercise.

But Paradang, in his testimony,  claimed that Moro did not fully comply with the presidential directive.

The former minister is facing charges of corruption brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).