ICPC Summons Top Candidate Amid Allegations Of Minister’s Attempt To Appoint Candidate Who Failed Interview in Enugu Hospital
Dr. Orovwigbo Ogenerukwe Andrew, the candidate who passed the interview for the position of Medical Director at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Enugu, has been summoned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for questioning.
This development comes just two days after SaharaReporters exposed an alleged attempt by the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to impose his preferred candidate, Dr. Ngozichukwu Unaogu, as the hospital’s director, despite failing the interview.
According to a document obtained by SaharaReporters, Dr Orovwigbo, who hails from Delta State scored 63.3%, in the interview conducted by experts in Neurology and Psychiatric, while Dr. Unaogu who hails from Ebonyi State scored 59.2%.
However, despite Dr Unaogu scoring below the civil service promotion rule, the Minister is reportedly routing for her, despite opposition from the panel that conducted the examination.
ICPC is investigating Dr Orovwigbo’s financial transactions from 2022 to date, and has invited him to its headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, August 22, 2024 for interrogation.
An invitation letter addressed to the medical doctor by the anti-corruption body is titled “Investigation Activities/ Request For Documents Pursuant To Sections 28 (A&B) And & 40 Of ICPC ACT 2000”.
Dr Orovwigbo has reportedly worked at the neuropsychiatric hospital for over 20 years.
The letter sighted by SaharaReporters and dated August 13, 2024 was delivered to the medical doctor on Thursday, August 15, 2024 has Ref. No ICPC/HC1/GBP/CS/STF-FMOH/306 and was signed by ICPC’s acting Director of Operations, S. Yahaya, for the Executive Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, (SAN).
The letter partly reads: “The Commission is investigating the alleged violation of the provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, No. 5 2000 and it has become imperative to make recourse to your office.
“Pursuant to Section 28 and 40 of the above-mentioned Act, you are kindly required to come with all your Bank Statements of account from 2022 to date, for an interview before the undersigned on Thursday 22nd August, 2024 at the ICPC Headquarters Abuja at 10:00am.
“Additionally, he/she is also to come with any of the following persons: A Lawyer, Justice of Peace, A Staff of Legal Aid Council, or Any individual of his choice.”
BACKGROUND
SaharaReporters had reported that the interview for the plump job was conducted on July 11, 2024, by a panel of eight members, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Daju Kachollom.
The examination questions were crafted by Dr. Abdullahi Ibrahim, a distinguished expert in the field, who is the former Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kebbi and Chairman of the Faculty of Psychiatry at the National Post-Graduate Medical College of Nigeria.
Dr. Ibrahim currently serves as the Chief Examiner of the college.
The minister’s alleged attempt to appoint a candidate who failed the examination has created a tense atmosphere among hospital staff members and stakeholders.
The panel that conducted the examination comprised representatives from various bodies, including the Federal Character Commission’s Hon. Rev. Ukadike Ibeabuchi, and directors from the ministry, namely Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen, Tetshoma T. Dafeta, Dr. Aderemi Azeez, Dr. Obiajulu Ugbo, Rasimatu U. Bello, and Igwenagu Ndidi Catherine, PhD.
Notably, all panel members signed the result sheet, which revealed that Dr. Orovwigbo scored 63.3%, while Dr. Unaogu scored 59.2%.
Following the interview, both candidates signed attestations confirming that the process was transparent, fair, and free from manipulation.
Moreover, according to the Federal Civil Service Rules, a pass mark is set at 60%, with any score below this threshold considered a failure. Consequently, Dr. Unaogu, the minister’s preferred candidate, failed to meet this requirement, having scored 59.2%, which falls short of the 60% pass mark.
According to sources, after the interview and the panel’s recommendation of Dr. Orovwigbo for the directorship position, the Minister of State, Dr. Alausa, reportedly overturned the decision, recommending Dr. Unaogu, who failed to meet the requirement, for the position.
This was despite the panel’s objective assessment, with the minister reportedly alleging bias without providing any evidence.
One of the sources who was a member of the panel said, “After the interview, the result was typed and everyone signed. Then the minister told us that the result is immaterial. He insisted that so far, the applicants scored over 55 marks, they are both qualified.
“Some days later, the applicant who scored 59.2% was shortlisted instead of the applicant who scored 65.3%. Meanwhile the person who scored 59.2% got below the cut off mark, according to civil service promotion rule. The minister’s reason is that the interview process was bias but the candidates signed attestations saying it was free and transparent.
“Till now, the minister has not provided any evidence to support his allegation that the interview was bias, only that he has approved the appointment of his preferred candidate. Although the applicant he approved is younger, however, such institution demands the best to manage it.”
“It is important to emphasise that the exercise to select the Chief Medical Director of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu is to ensure the appointment of a core specialist into the position. It is not a case of whether you’re in one party or the other,” another source said.
“The action of the minister of state is an embarrassment to the Renewed Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. The minister studied in Atlanta, where the issue of competence is taken seriously. This is part of the bad governance that Nigerians protested against. It is an abomination.”
Furthermore, it was discovered that Dr. Alausa had previously disqualified two qualified candidates from Enugu State, Dr. Nichodemus Obayi and Prof. Onyebueke, who had applied for the position, in order to clear the path for his preferred candidate, Dr. Unaogu.
Meanwhile, various health organisations within the neuropsychiatric hospital have collectively denounced the Minister of State’s authoritarian actions, emphasising the need to safeguard the directorship position from partisan politics to ensure the country’s progress.
A hospital staff member, who spoke to SaharaReporters on the condition of anonymity, stated: “The people in government don’t want peace in this hospital. They will always seek people that have skeletons in their cupboard so that they can be easily controlled.”
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters attempted to contact Minister Dr. Alausa for a response, but he refused to comment.
When reached by phone, he answered, listened to the inquiry, and then abruptly hung up. Upon calling him back, his phone diverted to a call divert recording.
As of the time of filing this report, he had not responded to a text message sent to him, despite efforts to solicit his reaction.
