Buhari ‘Removes’ Accountant General, Anamekwe

Chukwuyere Anamekwe has been removed from office as the acting accountant-general of the federation (AGF), the Witness newspaper.

The paper reported that Anamekwe  was replaced two weeks ago with Okolieaboh Ezeoke Sylvis, a former TSA (Treasury Single Account) Director.

Anamekwe was appointed in May by President Muhammadu Buhari to replace Ahmed Idris who is currently standing trial for allegedly stealing over N80 billion.

Reports however emerged recently that the federal government has been shopping for Anamekwe’s replacement due to his own alleged corruption problem with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The Buhari administration had two weeks ago advertised the position for qualified Nigerians to apply.

The federal government is said  not to be comfortable with Anamekwe holding the key position due to his problems with the anti-graft angency.

But what actually aided his removal, the paper said was his recent revelation that the government is borrowing to pay civil servants salaries.

“His comment rattled the presidency to the extent that some close aides to the president, including the minister of finance called for his removal,” a source in the presidency told the magazine.

He said the government has not officially announced his removal due to the sensitivity of the issue, particularly due to the fact that Anamekwe had just been appointed less that two months ago.

“We don’t want a situation where some Nigerians will beging to feel thst there’s a disconnect in the government at the time of serious economic crisis,” the source said.

Anamekwe was appointed as acting AGF on the May 22 following the arrest of Idris, former AGF,  by the EFCC over corruption allegations.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, HoS Folasade Yemi-Esan has issued a circular for the search of a new AGoF.

In a memo titled: “Commencement of the process of appointment of a substantive Accountant-General of the Federation”, the HoCSF directed permanent secretaries to forward details of eligible directors on Grade 17 to her on or before 4:00 pm on Wednesday July 6, 2022.

The memo stated the qualification of level 17 officers qualified for the position.

There are” “Those who have attained the position of Substantive Director (Grade 17) on or before January 1, 2020 and are not retiring from the service earlier than December 31, 2024 are eligible to participate in the selection process while officers undergoing disciplinary proceedings are excluded,” the HoS said in the memo.

The Source magazine has not been able to reach the embattled Anamekwe for comments as his telephone line is unreachable.