… As Workers Protest D-G’s Reinstatement

Workers of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last week in Abuja protested the reinstatement of Ms Arunma Oteh, the suspended Director-General of the commission.

Reports  say that the workers prevented visitors from entering the commission’s building located in the Central Business District Area of Abuja.

In spite of the heavy security presence in the vicinity of the area, the workers chanted slogans and displayed placards expressing their objection to Oteh’s return.

Accorrding to reports,  the protesting staff was seen carrying placard with the inscriptions “Oteh must go’’ “No no to Oteh’’.

Mr John Briggs, Secretary, SEC staff union, while answering questions from journalists at the scene of the protest, said that members of staff of the commission were against the reinstatement.

“The position of the staff is that they don’t want her back until due process is followed that is what the staff are saying.

“Staff are not happy and they are saying due process is not followed, you can see what is happening here we are trying to pacify the staff but they are not happy,” he said.

He said that the acting D-G, Mr Bolaji-Ibrahim Bello, was asked to discontinue work as the D-G of the commission.

“The Acting D-G was invited this morning and was asked to discontinue as the acting D-G by Pius Anyim.

“ Information we have is that he has been given a letter by Pius Anyim, that is the Secretary to the Federal Government and he is not the supervisory minister of this place,” he said.

Briggs claimed Oteh’s return was unpopular among staff members because some of the issues that led to her suspension were yet to be addressed.

He also alleged that the Price Water Cooper (PWC) audit report submitted to the National Assembly had not been acted upon.

“The investigation has not been concluded; her suspension has not been lifted why is she resuming,” he said.