BREAKING: Tinubu Suspends REA MD Ahmad Salihijo Over N1.2bn Fraud

President Bola Tinubu has suspended the Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, along with three executive directors from office indefinitely.

This followed investigations that uncovered a fraudulent expenditure amounting to N1.2 billion at the agency over the past two years.

In a press release on Thursday, Tinubu’s spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale stated that in addition to Salihijo’s suspension, the following REA executive directors have also been suspended pending further investigation:

• Olaniyi Alaba Netufo (Executive Director, Corporate Services)
• Barka Sajou (Executive Director, Technical Services)
• Sa’adatu Balgore (Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund)

Ngelale said some of the misappropriated funds have already been recovered by anti-graft agencies.

He stated that Tinubu has ordered a wider probe into the conduct of the suspended officials.

The president has appointed a new interim management team at REA with immediate effect. They are:

• Abba Abubakar Aliyu (Acting Managing Director/CEO)
• Ayoade Gboyega (Acting Executive Director, Corporate Services)
• Umar Abdullahi Umar (Acting Executive Director, Technical Services)
• Doris Uboh (Acting Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund)
• Olufemi Akinyelure (Head of Project Management Unit, Nigeria Electrification Project)

Ngelale quoted Tinubu as saying he “expects all appointees in his administration to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability.” He reiterated Tinubu’s “determination to elevate the yearnings of Nigerians for good governance above narrow interests.”