31st January, 2024
By Kingsley Okoye
President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve the disengagement of Mr Babatunde Irukera, as the Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in accordance with the law establishing the agency.
Tinubu made the request in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and read at plenary on Tuesday.
“In accordance with the provisions of Section 8(2) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC),
Act 2018.
“I hereby seek the kind confirmation of the Senate in respect of the disengagement from office of Babatunde Irukera as Executive Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC with effect from Jan.8.
“While I hope that this Senate will consider this request expeditiously, please do accept, Distinguished Senate President and Distinguished senators the assurances of my highest. regards.”
President Tinubu had on 8 January removed Irukera as the boss of the FCCPC in a move said to conform with plans to restructure and reposition the agency towards protecting the rights of Nigerian consumers.
A statement by the presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, said Irukera had been directed to hand over to the next most senior officer in the agency, pending the appointment of a new chief executive officer.
However, some analysts accused the President of breaching the Act setting up the agency with the unilateral removal of Irukera.
Renowned senior lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana, condemned the removal of Irukera as he noted that the Presidency did not state why the FCCPC boss was sacked, contrary to stipulations in the Act establishing the agency.
“So the removal has to go through the Senate,” Falana who also condemned the initial use of the word ‘dismissal’ to describe the removal of Irukera from office.
“And what is even more embarrassing is the use of the word ‘dismissal’. You do not dismiss somebody who has not committed an offence or has not been found wanting. This is a man who has done well for the country. He did what no regulatory agency has done for the country.”