The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) has queried the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), Mr. Francis Nwosu over allegations of corruption leveled against him by aggrieved staff of the council.
TheHintsNews reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had also launched investigations into contracts awarded from 2021 till date by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), Mr. Francis Nwosu.
The anti-corruption agencies in separate letters addressed to Nwosu was sequel to a petition against him by some aggrieved staff of the Council.
They alleged that: “In 2021, the procurement process for all the projects was a complete charade as it was hijacked by an external body under the directive of the Executive Secretary, manipulated, and failed to meet the due process requirements while the award of contracts was based on cronyism and self-interest.
“For example, available evidence suggests that the Certificate of No Objection with which the 2021 capital projects were executed was illegally procured thereby causing the process to be uncompetitive which is against the provisions of the Procurement Act. In fact, the 2021 Certificate of No Objection was obtained in a questionable circumstance which needs to be investigated to reveal all that was done by the ES and his surrogates.”
However, Nwosu appeared to have gotten more than he bargained for after the Nigerian ombudsman also extended another invitation to him.
The commission in a letter dated 31, March, 2023, which was titled, “Re:Petition against the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Press Council, Mr. Francis Ndubuisi Nwosu, for administrative lawlessness and high handedness, gross abuse of office and corruption,” demanded that he answered the petition against him.
The letter with reference number PCC/HQ/PUB/202305/U.01/06/29 was signed by PCC Assistant Director of Investigation, Echu John on behalf of the Chief Commissioner and received by the council on April 5, 2023.
The letter obtained by TheHintsNews reads: “I have the directive of the Honourable Chief Commissioner to inform you that a petition has been lodged against you by some concerned staff of the Nigerian Press Council on the above subject matter.
“The complainants alleged that the council has degenerated into a one man business,where an individual takes all the decisions without recourse to the board of management leading to bad administration, unfair treatment of staff and allegation of corrupt practices,
“In view of the above, the commission requests for your comments on the above allegations, in line with our enabling law PCC Act section 5(7) CAP.P.37 LFN 2004.
“While expecting your speedy response to the above inquiry, please accept the assurances of the Honorable Chief Commissioners warm regards.”