The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and its civil society allies would tomorrow, occupy the Federal Ministry of Health following the reinstatement of Dr. Angela Uwakem as the Managing Director of Federal Medical Centre, (FMC) Owerri, Imo state.
Labour in a letter addressed to the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewale, said the action became necessary do to an allegation of corrupt activities by Dr. Angela and her subsequent arraignment in court by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
The letter which was jointly signed by NLC president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and his TUC counterpart, Bobbio Kaigama said “We are constrained to convey to you Minister Sir, our sadness over the inaction of your office in respect of our request for the removal of Dr. Angela Uwakem, the indicted Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri.
It added that “As you very well know, Dr. Angela Uwakem was sent on suspension on July 29, 2015, following allegations of acts of serious corruption, to enable unfiltered investigation.
“The EFCC at the end of its investigation established a prima facie case of corruption against the medical director and arraigned her before the State High Court in Owerri, on October 11, 2016.
“The case was however shifted to November 15, 2016 following the absence of the presiding judge during the October court date”.
The letter further said the movement are taken by surprise that against all extant laws of the civil service, the minister who is in charge of Federal Medical Centers across the country, ordered Dr. Uwakem’s reinstatement using the police.
They stressed that Prof. Adewale’s action negates the spirit of the well-known anti-corruption disposition of the present government he is serving.
According to the letter, the action of the minister is in flagrant violation of the Public Service Rule 030406, which states inter alia: “it shall apply where a prima facie case, the nature of which is serious, has been established against an officer and it is considered necessary in public interest that he/she should forthwith be prohibited from carrying out his/her duties, pending investigation into the misconduct.
“The Federal Civil Service Commission or the Permanent Secretary/ Head of Extra-Ministerial office (if within his/her delegated powers) shall forthwith suspend him/her from the exercise of the powers and functions of his/her office from the enjoyment of his/her emolument.”
It further stated that: “You probably also know that the first thing Dr. Uwakem did upon your giving her the all clear signal to resume work, was to issue queries to the whistle blowers who had caused her investigation and arraignment.
“Again, this is directly against the decision of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), of which you are a member, to reward whistle blowers and protect them.
“We have therefore decided that in order to assist you to make up your mind to do the right thing without further delay, we will be your guest from 26th January 2017, until the extant Public Service Rule(s) is applied on the MD of the Federal Medical Centre Owerri.
“Minister Sir, please accept this letter as a Notice to Occupy your office by Nigerian workers until you chose to do the right thing in this case.”
