Guardians of Democracy and Development Initiative (GDDI) has condemned the re-appointment of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Dr Vincent Isiegbe, despite corruption allegations against him.

The pro-democracy group, in a statement signed by its convener, Danesi Momoh, demanded the immediate reversal of the appointment in the interest of the agency and for progressive national development.

It pointed out that Isegbe had already spent four years as Coordinating Director and five years as CG, making five years as the head of the agency; hence, the re-appointment will give him a cumulative 14 years without significant achievement, save for allegations of corruption, high-handedness, nepotism undue favouritism and opaqueness in operation, against the formation Civil Service Rules and Protocols.

GDDI cited a letter dated December 8, 2023 and addressed to President Tinubu through the Chief of Staff by S.I. Khamis & Co, counsel to Muhammad Kirya (Chairman of Donkey Market, Maraban Idan, Kaduna State) and two others demanding  investigations and sanction against Isegbe for serial offences, including confiscating donkey skins under the guise of enforcing the Federal Government’s directive on preserving donkeys, only to illegally sell them at international market platforms, particularly China.

The group said: “Since the nine years spent by Isegbe, no significant achievement was recorded, except that he has found partners within the system to allow him to remain in office, while the service suffers. For instance, despite all the revenue made by NAQS, it has no office of its own. It shares a space with a bank.

“It is important to fully note that this re-appointment means that for 14 years, the career progression of highly trained, knowledgeable and qualified staff will be stagnated or terminated for no justifiable reason. Service rules and protocols have been illegally suspended.”

But Isiegbe denied all the accusations, saying the protest was sponsored by the Acting Comptroller General (ACG) to ensure he does not return back to the office.

According to him, the Act establishing the agency does not give room for anyone to head the agency in acting capacity without being appointed, alleging that the ACG single-handedly appointed himself without getting approval from the President.