By Gabriel Atumeyi
A civil society organization, Citizens Awareness Against Corruption and Social Vices Initiative (CAACASVI) says Sani Abubakar Mashi has been cleared of all corruption allegations by the anti-graft agencies.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Olumuyiwa Onlede, CAACASVI executive director, said Mashi as the director-general of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), the agency witnessed a drive in innovation and technological advancement.
There were petitions reportedly filed against him at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Onlede said the clarification “is necessary in order not to weigh down the morale of public office holders in their capacity”.
“It will be recalled that various petitions to anti-grafts agencies like EFCC and ICPC calling for investigation of the immediate past director-general of Nimet was adequately honoured by the anti-graft agencies and vigorous investigation was launched into his activities as the chief accounting officer of the agency,” he said.
“After investigation, the allegations were found to be lacking in merit. Even in our capacity as a civil society organisation, we also independently engaged the agency and conducted investigation in a bid to ascertaining the true state of things in relation to the petitions and media reports, but all those were discovered to be totally untrue.
“We hereby wish to make the following points clear for record purpose and the purpose of posterity; that contrary to the media report and insinuations, Professor Sani Abubakar Mashi was not removed from office due to fraud allegations or unfair practices.
“The tenure of the immediate past Director General of NIMET witnessed tremendous improvement in the area of modern infrastructure and conducive working environment for employees.”
Onlede asked the new DG to maintain the momentum of change and development that was initiated by Mashi.