Drama As Jonathan Allows Suspended Oteh Into Economic Management Meeting

Source: THEWILL. - thewillnigeria.com
SUSPENDED SEC CHIEF, MS. ARUNMA OTEH.
SUSPENDED SEC CHIEF, MS. ARUNMA OTEH.


ABUJA, July 03, (THEWILL) – President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Tuesday allowed the suspended Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh attend the Economic Management Council (EMT) meeting in Abuja. In doing so, President Jonathan seem to have given credence to insinuations that his administration is soft on corruption.

Oteh was sent on compulsory leave by the board of the regulator over allegations of financial impropriety and abuse of office, especially in the handling of Project 50, a series of events organized to celebrate 50 years of the capital market in Nigeria.

At today’s meeting held inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Oteh stormed the venue and took the seat reserved for acting SEC DG, Mr. Ibrahim Bolaji Bello. Minutes after she had taken the seat at about 1.28pm, a female protocol personnel approached her and after a few exchanges she left the chamber accompanied by the official to the President’s office before returning shortly after clutching the two hand bags she had brought with her to the meeting and occupied the same seat.

President Jonathan walked into the venue a few minutes later and the meeting commenced.

Curiously, President Jonathan over the weekend issued a statement where he described as “totally false,” comments and agitations aimed at creating the impression that his administration has been lax in its handling of corruption in the country.

THEWILL put several calls across to the President’s spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati to seek the reason behind the President’s decision but our calls just rang out.