The embattled former Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, may be served a lifetime punishment following the report of the ministerial panel set up by president Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the matter.
The 11-man panel inaugurated by Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi about eight months ago in its report, found Usman who was also a former member of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign group, guilty on all counts and recommended she should be barred from holding public office in the future, according to Shipping World.
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The panel was headed by Mr Auwal Suleiman, the Director of Maritime Services at the ministry of transportation.
The recommendations of the panel was submitted to the Presidency about five weeks, the medium added.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has been mandated to set up a Committee to study the report and issue a white paper on the recommendations.
The panel among other terms of reference was asked to investigate if Usman 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.
The former DG was however cleared of non remittance to the federal government but was indicted on all other charges.
All efforts by her to upturn the verdict of report in her favour became futile, the medium stated.
“I can tell you with all 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,” the medium said.
Mr Suleiman, when contacted by Shipping World, they were referred to Mr Amaechi.
Also, it could not be established if the SGF had inaugurated the white paper committee.
In her defence before the probe panel, the former DG denied any wrong doing.
