TheCable

Mustapha Maihaja, director-general of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), says the six suspended officials of the agency were not given fair hearing.

He said this on Thursday when he appeared before the house of representatives committee on emergency and disaster preparedness the alleged breach of public trust at the agency.

The committee is also investigating the suspension of the officials.

The officials, including some directors, were suspended by the agency’s governing council last year. The council is chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

Ali Isa, deputy chairman of the committee, who is presiding over the session, had asked him: “Did the governing council invite the suspended officials to give their own side of the story? Were they given fair hearing before being suspended?”

Maihaja replied: “No. We didn’t see the need to invite them. We did not (invite them).”
The suspended officers are Akinbola Gbolahan, director of finance and accounts; Umesi Emenike, director, special duties; and Alhassan Nuhu, director, risk reduction.

Others are Mamman Ali Ibrahim, pilot in charge of air ambulance and aviation unit; Ganiyu Deji, chief maintenance officer; and Kanar Mohammed, director of welfare.

The house has since asked the agency to reinstate them.