Report The Ministerial Panel set up on the orders of President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the infamous tenure of Hadiza Bala Usman as Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, has at last turned in a report of “guilty as charged”.
The former Convener of Bring Back our girls was found culpable on all charges but one, according to sources close to the panel which was headed by Mr Auwal Suleiman,the Director of Maritime Services at the Federal Ministry of Transportation.The 11man panel which was inaugurated by Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi about 8 months ago found Hadiza Bala Usman guilty on all counts and barred her from holding public office in the future.
The recommendations of the panel was submitted to the Presidency about five weeks .The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha , has been mandated to set up a Committee to study thec report and issue a white paper on the recommendations .The panel among other terms of reference was asked to investigate if Hadiza followed due process in the award of contracts, adherence to terms of agreement, or if she followed extant laws and channels in communicating with her supervising ministry and if she made remittances to the Federal Government.Usually dependable source confided in Shipping World that she was however cleared of non remittance to the Federal Government but was indicted on all other charges.
Dependable sources at the Presidency told our correspondent that all oversures by Hadiza to upturn the verdict of report in her favour has met a brick wall.Said our source: I can tell you authority that Hadiza has sent several emissaries to Mr President on the outcome of the panel’s report. As we speak,plans by Hadiza Bala Usman to return to NPA look very unlikely as the panel came up with a damning report indicting her almost on all fronts. She would be lucky if she does not face prosecution considering the gravity of her offenses”, a source told our reporter. When contacted , the Director of Maritime Services in the Ministry of Transportation, Mr Auwal Suleiman, referred our correspondent to the Mr Rotimi Amaechi. As at press time Shipping World was unable to confirm if the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha had inaugurated the white paper committee. In her defence before the probe panel, Hadiza Bala Usman denied any wrong doing.