29th November, 2012
The Senate on Wednesday in Abuja accused the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of victimisation of officers who refused to compromise in their duties.
This was in reference to a petition by Mr Adamu Magaji for alleged wrongful termination of appointment and victimisation for failure to compromise official responsibility.
Magaji had petitioned the Senate over his alleged unlawful termination and the petition was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Ayo Akinyelure (LP-Ondo) said Magaji was sacked for refusing to compromise.
“Magaji’s termination was a product of his zeal to serve and not wanting to compromise official responsibility and refusal to release a suspect, Ihenacho, to his superior officer.
Akinyelure said Magaji was a dedicated staff whose appointment was allegedly terminated for fraternising with a drug baron, Obi Okorie, who he arrested.
He said a committee was instituted to investigate the said fraternisation after which a query was issued to Magaji.
He, however, noted that since Magaji had never been queried before, a first instance query was not enough to have led to the termination of his appointment.
The chairman said that from the investigation carried out, Magaji’s relationship with Okorie was in the interest of the job and to uphold the integrity of the Agency.
The Senate, therefore, adopted the recommendations of the committee that Magaji’s termination be nullified and the officer reinstated.
The Senate also asked the NDLEA authorities to pay Magaji all his entitlements to date.
Senate President, David Mark, said the adoption of the above recommendations was a message to “whistle blowers” that the Senate would protect them.
Mark also said it was a message to senior officers in the agency who punished whistle blowers within the system that the Senate would stand by the whistle blowers.