President Buhari Removes Marilyn Amobi as NBET MD

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the removal of Ms Marilyn Amobi as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc.

The removal of the NBET Director, marred by controversy, was confirmed by the Minister of Power, Mr Saleh Mamman on Monday, June 15.

The minister, in a press statement, said the action was approved by President Buhari.

He then announced that Ms Amobi’s vacant seat will be filled by the company’s General Counsel and Secretary, Mr Nnaemeka Eweluka, with immediate effect till further notice.

Ms Amobi had been discovered to run a private firm called ESL Economics and Management Limited, registered in the United Kingdom, while being a public officer in Nigeria.

This is in violation of the country’s code of conduct rule for public officials.

She also continued to run a foreign account in violation of Nigeria’s law.

Nigeria’s constitution prescribes code of conduct for public officers, including those in publicly-controlled companies, such as NBET.

The code of conducts stipulates that public officers shall not engage or participate in the management or running of any private business except it is farming.

This means when a person assumes public office in Nigeria, they are expected to formally resign from the management or directorship of a private company in which they are involved even if such belongs to them.

NBET is a Nigerian government owned company incorporated in 2010 in line with the Electric Power Sector Act, 2005.

There is, however, no word yet from the FG if Ms Amobi will be tried for breaking the code of conduct as established.