The days of the Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi in office appeared to be numbered after moves to save his job and serve another four years term hit the rock.
TheHintsNews reliably gathered that the presidency was already planning a major swoop in NSCDC with all the Deputy Commandant General (DCGs) expected to be forced to retire.
Following the allegations of corruption against the NSCDC boss, TheHintsNews was reliably informed by a source in the presidency that all entreaties made on behalf of Audi before President Bola Tinubu were unsuccessful.
The source said: “Fresh Assistant Commandant General (ACGs) have been shortlisted to take over from Audi in the event his tenure is not renewed.
“Moves to replace Audi thickens. All DCGs are going. Only Fresh ACGs are shortlisted. All moves to plead for Audi in Villa Blocked.”
Prior to the latest development, TheHintsNews gathered that
Prior to the latest development, TheHintsNews gathered that the Ministry of Interior already planned a top management retreat for all Zonal Commanders scheduled to hold between Friday, 24th and Sunday, 26th at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
The memo dated 20th May,2024 titled; “Invitation to the Ministry of Interior top management staff conference /retreat”, was signed by DCH Adeyinka Ayinla on behalf of Audi.
It reads: “I am directed to invite all Zonal Commanders of the corps to the Ministry of Interior, Top management Conference/Retreat schedule as follows:
“Date: 24″ – 26″ May, 2024, Venue: Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Time: 0900hrs daily. Please note that promptness and attendance is mandatory.”
The source added that they are not inviting all ACG’s from the headquarters of the NSCDC because they plan intend to leave some out
However, another source in the NSCDC revealed that the intention of the retreat was to curry favour ahead of the ministerial enquiry to investigate Audi’s tenure.
The source added: “The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in conjunction with the Minister of Interior, is organising a senior management retreat for Deputy Commandant Generals and other senior management staff from Friday, 24th to Sunday, 26th at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
“The purported aim of the retreat is to foster a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose among the senior management team.
“However, it is widely believed that the true intention is to curry favor with the management staff and secure their loyalty ahead of the impending ministerial panel of inquiry, which will investigate the Commandant General’s tenure.”
It would be recalled that a former Special Prosecutor, Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Properties, Tosin Ojaomo last week petitioned Tunji-Ojo over an ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into an alleged corruption case against Audi.
Ojaomo said it would be in the interest of public safety and to safeguard the investigation process to prevent any possible interference in the investigation, that the immediate suspension of Audi was recommended.
The petition dated May 15, a copy which was made available to was addressed to Tunji-Ojo was also copied to President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi and the Chairman of EFCC, Olanipekun Olukoyede.
Ojaomo said it was no longer news that the NSCDC has been under the investigative periscope of EFCC in the past few weeks with relation to allegations of financial mismanagement wherein the anti-graft agency has made considerable progress in the investigation.
He alleged that Audi also has a pending allegation of unexplained property acquisition which was also leveled against him before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CBB).
Ojaomo said the application was brought pursuant to the Provision of Section 8 of the Nigeria – Security and Civil Defence Corps Act, 2003 (As Amended) and Section 11 of the Interpretation Act, 2004 which empowers the minister to recommend the appointment and removal from office of any person appointed by the President to the Office of the Commandant General of NSCDC.