Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Mr. Ekpo Nta, is on his way out of his post.
Nta was asked to proceed on a compulsory leave, which may just be an honourable way of edging him out of his position.
An ICPC source indicated that a letter from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) informed Mr. Expo that he should proceed on compulsory leave beginning from today, October 26, 2016. The source said that the Chairman had earlier received two letters from the office of the SGF, informing him to proceed on compulsory leave, which he allegedly ignored.
Mr. Nta was appointed by immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in acting capacity in 2011 and was confirmed a year after by the Senate. It was gathered that at a meeting with President Buhari earlier this year, Nta had argued that his tenure would end on November 17, 2017, to which the President allegedly retorted that by his records, the tenure of the ICPC head ends on November 17, 2016.
It was learnt that the Chairman plans to formally inform staff of the commission about his formal exit this morning.
Although no reason was given for the abrupt sack of the ICPC boss, it was gathered that his handling of corruption cases against former governors may have nailed him.
Nta believes that the war against corruption should transcend arrest and prosecution to building long term, sustainable attitudinal change.
The Federal Government was said to have concluded plans to file fraud charges against some former governors.
With Nta out, President Buhari will shop for new strong man, who will work in conjunction with the EFCC to probe those accused of fraud.
This is as the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, has invited some former governors and current office holders for questioning regarding assets declaration.
