From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) management have fully and finally settled their long-standing dispute with Dr Enukora Joe Okoli, former Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Fund over his wrongful and illegal indefinite suspension from office.
Dr Okoli was appointed by President Olusegun Obasanjo with a clear mandate to reform, revamp and reposition the almost moribund organisation as a social protection agency for Nigeria.
In less than 2 years in office, certain individuals resisting reform from within and outside the organisation conspired and contrived anonymous petition against Dr Okoli, alleging abuse of office. Without any investigation, an incompetent board under Mrs Ngozi Olejeme, wrongfully and illegally suspended Dr Okoli from office indefinitely.
Following a detailed investigation at the level of the Inspector General of Police, Dr Okoli was fully exonerated and cleared of any wrong doing.
The Police investigation report concluded that “the petition was the handiwork of some wicked and faceless group who were bent on tarnishing the good name of the Managing Director of NSITF.”
In addition to financial settlement (stated in millions of Naira), NSITF management agreed that the NSITF will issue a Letter of Apology/Certificate of Integrity confirming that Dr Okoli’s purported suspension was illegal, ultra vires the Board Chairman and as such the said suspension was unjustified.
In a letter referenced NSITF/AC/Ag.MD/5/S.1/551 and signed by the Managing Director/CE, the NSITF management agreed that “… Okoli be paid all his salaries for the unexpired period of his 4 years tenure and entitlements as a sign of good faith and to also show that he served out his tenure successfully without any blemish.”
In his reaction, Dr Okoli said that he has gone through a horrible experience that he would not wish for his worst enemy.
He said that his traducers were so desperate to nail him that they went as far as contacting all the places where he had worked in the United Kingdom through the Nigeria High Commission in London, with the hope of finding some wrongdoing that could count against him but received glorious tributes in return.
He further said that his life was in serious danger at some point and grateful to God that they did not succeed in eliminating or harming him. He concluded that we must in all situations give God the glory.
