Buhari Suspends Peter Jack Over 'Misconduct'

It’s not just enough to identify such anomalies; it must be properly investigated, formally prosecuted and duly punished to serve as a deterrent and recurrence of similar situations in the system - TimeslessTinz opinion.

Peter Jack, director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has been sacked with immediate effect over “misconduct” improper of a public servant.

The spokesman of the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, Victor Oluwadamilare, said this in a statement unveiled on January 20, Wednesday.(more after the cut)

The statement reads: “The indefinite suspension became imperative on the strength of deluge of petitions regarding several alleged wrong-doings in NITDA and subsequent preliminary findings of an investigative committee set up by the Ministry.”

The spokesperson added that some of the crimes identified by the investigative board made up of three senior officials of the ministry, comprised unlawful recruitment of additional staff entire 245 in a seven months.

“As at 29th May, 2015, NITDA only had a staff complement of 74.” “But from May, 2015 to 31st December, 2015, additional 245 staff were employed in questionable circumstances, despite clear instruction from the ministry directing suspension of employment in the agency,” it said.

However, Vincent Olatunji has been announced as acting DG NITDA.

Until this nomination he was the director of Corporate Strategy and Research in the agency.

TimelessTinz Opinion:

I expect that every progressive organization, private or public should have a defined Human Resources policy guiding staff employment. Such arbitrary exercise of power in recruiting 245 staff in seven months is reckless and deserves further investigation and formal persecution. It’s not just enough to identify such anomalies; it must be properly investigated, formally prosecuted and duly punished to serve as a deterrent and recurrence of similar situations in the system.