Research Union, RMRDC Differ On DG’s Continued Stay In Office

Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI) has filed a petition accusing the director- general of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Professor Hussaini Ibrahim, of refusing to leave office after his tenure expired.

But the director of corporate services of RMRDC, Chukwuma Ngaha, debunked the allegation of the DG still being in service.

“From my understanding, he has since left office. And somebody has since taken over and has been acting. I have not even set my eyes on the DG since this period being mentioned.”

ASURI alleged that Ibrahim’s second term ended on April 7, 2024, but he has not relinquished the position or handed over to the next most senior director. The petition noted that this was a violation of established regulations set by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

In the petition filed and copied to the SGF, the minister of innovation, science and technology, the minister of labour and employment, the head of the civil service of the federation (HCSF), the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), the union expressed concern that Ibrahim relocated the DG’s office after his term ended, potentially hindering a smooth handover process.

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The union requested an investigation into any administrative or financial actions taken by Professor Ibrahim since his term’s expiration.

ASURI’s petition called for Ibrahim’s immediate removal and a probe into his actions to uphold transparency within the agency.

Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, secretary-general of ASURI, was quoted in the petition as stating, “Professor Ibrahim’s refusal to hand over and vacate office is also in violation of section 2.1.2 (d) (ii) of Conditions of Service for Federal Research Agencies, Institutes and Colleges (COS 2019).

“We are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the action of Professor Ibrahim is a deliberate affront to established procedure and extant regulations, which must not be overlooked. What are those administrative and financial duties that he could not perform in the 11 years that he spent as Chief Executive of RMRDC that he needs extra time to perform?”

“Our prayer therefore is that Professor Ibrahim must not only be made to hand over and vacate office immediately but all executive, administrative and financial functions which he performed since his tenure expired must be investigated for the integrity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration,” he added.