Lawyers Write Senate, Seek Disqualification Of Tinubu’s Female Ministerial Nominee

The Campaign for Transparency Network (CTN) and Messrs Juryman Associates Chambers yesterday asked the Senate to disqualify Stella Okotete, one of the 28 ministerial nominees unveiled by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday.

In a statement by its Programme Director, Ebube Nwanka, CTN asked the Senate to reject Okekete based on her alleged questionable academic records.

Nwanka alleged that Okotete had no School Leaving Certificate but proceeded to the University of Port Harcourt where she underwent Remedial Studies after which she got admitted via direct entry into the Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State.

CTN further alleged that Okotete “as an undergraduate had carry overs in four courses which she did not retake.”

It said the university upon discovery did not approve of her graduation from the institution and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate presented by Okotete is fake.”

Also, in a statement by its Managing Partner, Oladotun Hassan, the Juryman Associate Chambers

sought the disqualification of the appointment of Okotete as a ministerial designate based on a pending case instituted against her at the Federal High Court that has also been submitted to the Senate.

The letter sighted by press on Saturday in Abuja, had been acknowledged by the office of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.

The ministerial nominee, the petitioner alleged, a pending suite at the Federal High Court with No: FHC/ABJ/C8/2233/2023 bothering on serial false misrepresentation and forgery.

Part of the petition read: “Based on list pending case before the Federal High Court suite No: FHC/ABJ/C8/2233/2023 /Public complaint against criminal conspiracy to wit: Violation of the CBN’S regulations on Appointment of Heads of Financial Institutions.

“Gross contemptuous violation of Senate Ruling and Unimplemented 2019, Senate resolution on removal recommendation over serial fraudulent misrepresentation, No NYSC records, false information in respect of her CV on appointment as Delta State Government’s Director of Millennium Development.

“No accurate records, lack of prerequisite qualifications and deceitful withholding of CBN’s statutory position, obligations and duties as the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) against Stella Erhuvwuoghene Okotete.”

However, a letter from the CCB dated 21st March 2023 with file number CCB/HQ/II&M/007/NB/099 addressed to Okotete, was also sighted by press in Abuja yesterday.

The correspondence confirmed that the ministerial hopeful is under investigation over cases concerning breach of Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

In view of its ongoing investigation, the Code of Conduct Bureau in its letter signed by Director intelligence and monitoring (II&M), Dr. Gwimi S.P. directed Okotete to furnish the Bureau with all necessary documents needed to carry out their investigation.

The letter read in part: “Alleged Breach of Code of Conduct for Public Officer.” The Bureau is currently investigating a case of alleged breach of Code of Conduct for Public Officers against your office.

“In view of the foregoing, you are requested to furnish the Bureau with the Certified True Copies (CTC) of the following documents:

“Copies of your letters of Appointment, Promotion Letters, Record of Service and Payslips from 2019 till date.

“All lists of loans processed and approved under you. iii Acknowledgement slips of all Assets Declaration made to Code of Conduct Bureau since you joined the Public Service.

“All documents of your buildings and landed properties both developed and underdeveloped in Nigeria and abroad. Bank Account Statements of all your personal bank accounts from January 2019 to date.

“This request is made pursuant to the mandate and powers of the Bureau as enshrined in the 3° Schedule, Part 1, Paragraph 3(e) to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended; Section 137 (a) and (b) and 138 (a) and (b) Panel Cede laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and section 104 of Evidence Act 2011.”

Similarly, a 2019 report of the Nigerian Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions has also revealed that Okotete was indicted for forgery and was recommended for voluntary resignation or sack over fraudulent misrepresentation.

The report of the 8th Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which was then chaired by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, was also sighted by press yesterday.

The report found Okotete guilty after thoroughly going through oral and written submissions available to the committee by the petitioners, Myson Law Practice on Behalf of Ilaje Global Think Tank Initiative and Stella Okotete.

It was revealed that Okotete allegedly misrepresented her qualifications to hold the post of Executive Director at the bank.

The Senate document observed that the chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress did not have 15 years post-graduation experience which is required to occupy the office as specified by the Central Bank of Nigeria circular of 15th October, 2015.

Other members of the committee who signed the report include; Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Senator Mohammed Shitu,Senator Peter Nwaoboshi,Senator Jeremiah Useni, Senator Matthew Urhoghide,Senator Dino Melaye,Senator Omotayo Alasoadura,Senator Binta Garba Member, Omogunwa Yele and Senator Philip Gyunka.