SEC Workers Protest Planned Return Of Suspended DG, Arunma Oteh

The rumoured reinstatement of suspended Director General of Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh was today kicked against by staff members of the Commission who staged a protest in their office in Abuja.

Acting on a tip-off that Oteh may be on her way to the Commission’s headquarters to resume work earlier today, the workers gathered in groups defying  the heavy presence of security personnel in front of the Commission’s headquarters office, chanting anti-Oteh songs such as “we don’t want Oteh, don’t force Oteh on us”. They accused the Secretary to the Government of the federation, Pius Anyim  Pius of being behind the planned return of Oteh to her duty post even when the probe on her financial misconduct was yet to be concluded.

The Secretary General of SEC workers union,   Mr. John Briggs,   who spoke to newsmen on the premises of the Commission, in Abuja,  argued that the   staff were informed that Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator  Pius Anyim Pius had already issued her with reinstatement letter  but SEC staff would insist that due process must be followed if she must be returned.

“We are trying to pacify the staff because of the information this morning that the Acting DG was invited and was asked to discontinue because Oteh is resuming this morning. Officially we have not been informed and we also do not say she should not come, but they should follow the procedure”, he said.

Also speaking,  Secretary –General, Staff Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service and Recreation Employees, Elder Adekoya John also said  that  government was trying to break the rule it also set up.

Oteh had earlier been sent on suspension by the board of SEC over allegations of financial misconduct.