By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In a Press Release captioned, “Appointment of Independent Ad Hoc Committee, Allegations of Malpractices Against Nigerian Candidates in the Recruitment Process at the ECOWAS Parliament” issued by The Right Honorable Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, it was stated that having received written complaints from the 1st Deputy Speaker, Honorable Ahmed Idris Wase and the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Musa Sani Nuhu, concerning the ongoing recruitment exercise at the ECOWAS Parliament, an Independent Ad Hoc Committee has been appointed to investigate allegations of marginalization and malpractice against Nigerian Candidates in the ongoing recruitment process.
It was further stated that the action of the Honorable Speaker is in conformity to Rule Thirty-three (33) and Thirty-four (34) of the Rules of Procedures of the Parliament which provides that a Special Committee may be set up to address specific matters further making provision that the Speaker, in response to pressing emergencies, can set up an Ad Hoc Committee, in consultation with the Bureau, and inform Parliament at its next Session.
According to the Press Release, the Adhoc Committee would be headed by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, Chairman of the Committee on Administration, Finance, and Budget and other Members include:
Hon. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu – Nigeria, Hon. Fatoumatta Njai- The Gambia, Hon. Amadou Djibo Ali – Niger ,Hon. Kounon Nahou Agbandao -Togo, Hon. Caramo Camara-Guinea Bissau,Hon. Moussokora Chantal Fanny – Cote d’ Ivoire and Mr. Arboncana Oumarou Dicko – Clerk to the Committee.
Added was that the Terms of Reference of the Ad Hoc Committee shall be as follows: Investigate allegations of inappropriate conduct in the ongoing recruitment process at the ECOWAS Parliament; Investigate allegations of marginalization of Nigerian Candidates in the current recruitment process; Investigate and determine if indeed the plenary adopted any Resolution concerning the subject matter (Recruitment of Staff), using normal parliamentary procedure.
It was underscored that in the execution of its mandate, the Committee shall be granted access to all documents relating to the recruitment exercise and work with the Advisory Committee on Recruitment and Promotions at the ECOWAS Parliament, to under-study and review the exercise.
The Adhoc Committee, it was maintained, would be guided by the provisions of the Supplementary Act and the ECOWAS Staff Regulations.
Commencement of the work of the Ad Hoc Committee, it was mentioned, is expected to be on the 22nd August 2022 and its findings are expected to be reported to the Honorable Speaker in one week, following which a Bureau meeting will be convened to consider the report for onward submission to the Plenary.
It was also highlighted that in the meantime, the Right Honourable Speaker has directed the suspension of the ongoing recruitment exercises pending the outcome of the investigation by the Independent Adhoc Committee.
Concluding, the ECOWAS Parliament, under the leadership of Right Honourable Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, affirmed its stern commitment to fair labor practices and is devoted to upholding and protecting the rights of all Citizens of the Community to aspire for positions in any Community Institution in line with the provisions of the ECOWAS Staff Regulations and all related Protocols.
In a Memorandum from the Rt. Honourable Speaker to the Secretary General of ECOWAS dated 4th August 2022 with the Subject, “Appointment of Independent Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations Malpractice Against Nigerians in the Recruitment Process at the ECOWAS Parliament”, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, informed the Secretary General that as the latter may be aware, he received written complaints from the 1stDeputy Speaker, Honorable Ahmed Idris Wase and the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Musa Sani Nuhu, concerning the ongoing recruitment exercise at the ECOWAS Parliament.
He revealed how, in response, he has decided to appoint an Independent Ad Hoc Committee to investigate allegations, in line with the provisions of Rule 33 and 34 of the Rules of Procedure.
He intimated the Secretary General that the Terms of Reference of the Ad Hoc Committee shall be as follows: To investigate allegations of inappropriate conduct in the ongoing recruitment process at the ECOWAS Parliament; Investigate allegations of marginalization of Nigerian Candidates in the current recruitment process; Investigate and determine if indeed the plenary adopted any Resolution concerning the subject matter (Recruitment of Staff), using normal parliamentary procedure.
The Speaker continued that in the execution of its mandate, the Committee shall be granted access to all documents relating to the recruitment exercise and work with the Advisory Committee on Recruitment and Promotions at the ECOWAS Parliament, to under-study and review the exercise.
He also informed that the Adhoc Committee would be guided by the provisions of the Supplementary Act and the ECOWAS Staff Regulations and went further to name the members of the Committee.
Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis pointed out that the work of the Ad Hoc Committee is expected to commence on 22nd August 2022 and its findings are expected to be reported to the Speaker in one week, following which a Bureau meeting will be convened to consider the report for onward submission to the Plenary.
He stated that consequently, the proposed Bureau meeting, scheduled to hold on the 15th August, 2022, in Banjul, The Gambia, is cancelled.
The Speaker further mentioned that in the meantime, the ongoing recruitment exercises are hereby suspended pending the outcome of the investigation by the Independent Adhoc Committee.
He asked the Secretary General to kindly ensure that all modalities are concluded to facilitate the work of the Committee.
