By News desk
The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has said Winifred Oyo- Ita was removed from her position as Head of Service (HoS) of the Federation because President Muhammadu Buhari has zero-tolerance for corruption.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been investigating Mrs Oyo-Ita, over an alleged N3 billion-contract scam, abuse of duty tour allowance and money laundering, among others, during her previous position as Permanent Secretary.
The organisation said this in a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju in Abuja on Thursday explained that the removal of Oyo-Ita from office was a proof that Buhari’s administration would not allow people with questions to answer to remain in office longer than necessary.
“Buhari has, on several occasions, maintained that the anti-corruption stance of his administration is non-negotiable and it is quite clear that he won’t tolerate any iota of verifiable scandal among key government officials.
“So, like Buhari did in the ‘grass cutting scandal’ when he sacked the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, for allegedly defrauding the Federal Government to the tune of N500 million, he had no misgivings about sending Oyo-Ita on indefinite leave,” the organisation said.
Meanwhile, Security was on Thursday beefed up around the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation barely 12 hours after Buhari directed the former HOCSF, to proceed on an indefinite leave.
Buhari had on Wednesday asked the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Folasade Yemi-Esan, to take over in acting capacity while Oyo-Ita proceeded on the indefinite leave to allow conclusion of the investigation being carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Security was beefed up around the office on Thursday by a combined team of policemen, officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and those of the Nigeria Legion.
The office is located inside the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase II on Shehu Shagari Way in the Three Arms Zone of the Federal Capital Territory.
All members of staff were made to hang their identity cards for easy identification before they were allowed to gain access on the premises.
Unlike before now that members of staff and visitors always make use of the same gate to access the compound, visitors were on Thursday directed to use Gate 5 while members of staff made use of the other gate.
After proper identification and disclosure of purposes of visit, visitors were allowed in and directed to a glass cubicle where they would write their names, telephone numbers, office to be visited, as well as time of arrival before being allowed into the building.
