Alleged Waivers: Lawyer Urges Buhari To Sack FCC’s Chairman

…Tasks Attorney General of the Federation on adherence to law
BY AHMED TUKUR, ABUJA – A human right lawyer Mr. Innocent Lagi Esq. has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hajiya Muheeda Dankaka for allegedly breaching the provisions of the 1919 Constitution as amended.
Speaking with Forefront in an exclusive interview, Mr. Lagi, a former Attorney General of Nasarawa State, urged President Buhari not to sphere anybody that breaches the constitution.
Lagi specifically said that issuing waivers over the laws of the country is wrong, stressing that anybody caught in such an act should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He said that If the chairman or anybody in the Commission is caught breaching the law, she should be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
Lagi said that even the president has no powers under the constitutions to wave the laws and do otherwise.
He equally urged the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) adhere strictly to the provisions of the Constitution of the country and to always avoid playing politics.
The chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hajiya Maheeda Dankaka had in a statement during the inauguration of committees of the Commission, said that she granted waivers to some organizations in the cause of exercising her executive powers, saying; “I have authorized the issuance of waivers and certificate of compliance to some organizations”.
However, Mr. Lagi said that the government should as a matter of national interest and importance enforce the law and not to play politics, stressing that if the Attorney General of the Federation, who has the power to prosecute fails to do so, nothing would happen about that offence.
He further said; “Nobody has the power to wave the provision of the law or the application of the law, even the president cannot give you a waiver
over laws.
“The president should sack anybody who is in breach of the law and should be punished”.
Some Commissioners’ in the FCC are calling for an independent investigation into the activities of the chairman for issuing waivers to MDAs to recruit without taking into cognizance, the provisions of the constitution.
The commissioners who represent the various states are feeling short changed that their various states are missing out in most of the recruitment exercises that have created so much in-balance in the system.
A document FCC /FC/HQ/2020/001 dated November 18, 2020, indicated the granting of waivers and issuance of certificate of compliance by the chairman of the FCC without abiding by the federal character principle.
Some of the Commissioners are demanding for a probe of the activities of the chairman to determine the number of waivers issued to the various MDAs to carry out recruitment without requisite approvals.
One of the commissioners that spoke to our correspondent said; “Misapplication of section (1) of the establishment Act as well as unwholesome arrogation of power to self by the chairman thereby alienating the commissioners, plenary and commissions from the activities and operation/administration of the commission has become the order.
“The affairs of the commission are currently being carried out with clear disregard to the provisions of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended”.
The commissioners are also insisting that the operational committees of the commission be dissolved and a new one be constituted with representation from each geographical zone.
“Unilaterally recruiting of staff for the commission and surprisingly records shows that about 50 percent of the first batch of the 16 staff that resumed as at Friday November, 13 2020 are not only from chairman’s state of origin but her senatorial district to the detriment of other parts of the federating units.
“The issuance of waivers and certificates of compliance, without the knowledge and approval of the plenary as required by the extent provision is absurd and unacceptable.
“This trend is bringing our noble commission to disrepute and negating the core essence of the commission which is to foster unity, fairness inclusiveness and social justice,” the commissioners insisted.