Alleged N1.2b Fraud: Tinubu suspends REA MD and team from office 

March 7, 2024

President Bola Tinubu has approved the indefinite suspension of the Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, alongside three Executive Directors of the Agency, from office.

This is in the light of new findings unearthed during a comprehensive investigation into the financial activities of the Agency, the FG said in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson on Thursday.

The suspended directors are:

(1) Olaniyi Alaba Netufo — Executive Director, Corporate Services

(2) Barka Sajou — Executive Director, Technical Services

(3) Sa’adatu Balgore — Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund (REF)

Furthermore, President Tinubu ordered a wider investigation into the conduct of the aforementioned officials in a fraudulent mis expenditure amounting to over N1.2 billion over the past two years, some of which has already been recovered by anti-graft agencies.

“By the directive of the President, the following qualified Nigerians are appointed to serve in the new management team of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in acting capacity with immediate effect:

(1) Abba Abubakar Aliyu — Managing Director/CEO

(2) Ayoade Gboyega — Executive Director, Corporate Services

(3) Umar Abdullahi Umar — Executive Director, Technical Services

(4) Doris Uboh — Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund (REF)

(5) Olufemi Akinyelure — Head of Project Management Unit, Nigeria Electrification Project

President Bola Tinubu however said he expects all appointees in his administration to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties and reiterates his determination to elevate the yearnings of Nigerians for good governance and qualitative service delivery above the narrow interests of individuals who are entrusted to provide critical services to the Nigerian people.