Staff Petitions NCRI Boss, Staff Over Alleged Misconduct
From Our Reporter
The Executive Director of National Cereals Research Institute, (NCRI), Badeggi, Dr Mohammed Ndagi Ishaq,
have been petitioned by a staff over alleged gross misconduct, abuse of civil service rules and maladministration.
Malam Mohammed Tswayan, the complainant, said this in a petition, dated 6/1/2025, and made available to newsmen in Minna.
Tsyawan, an Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Pension Unit of NCRI, accused the executive director of arbitrary disrespect to the civil service rules and regulations.
He also petitioned the Executive Officer, Head of Confidential Secretariat, Mr Kawu Danjuma Sambo, who was indicted of certificate forgery by the institute’s anti-corruption committee.
Tsyawan called for indepth investigation and justice on the allegations he raised by relevant authorities.
The petitioner noted with dismay the gross impunity being exhibited by the current executive director in contravention of civil service rules and regulations.
He also questioned the appointment of the current NCRI boss without presidential approval, adding that other agencies under the ministry who had the same interview in NCRI Badeggi, are waiting for presidential approval.
Tsyawan also called on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Head of Civil Service of the Federation to question the Minister of Agriculture on how Ndagi-Ishaq emerged through the back door as the NCRI executive director.
He further urged concerned stakeholders to ensure the removal of the executive director to pave way for a more focused, competent incorruptible and integrity person who would improve the fortunes of the institute.
He emphasised that the NCRI boss has swept under the carpet the report and recommendation of the internal ICPC committee which found Kawu Danjuma Sambo guilty of alleged certificate forgery earlier confirmed by the institution he claimed to had graduated from.
The petitioner recalled that Ndagi-Ishaq had also directed the accused (Danjuma Sambo), a Grade Level 12 officer, to query a Grade Level 17 officer, which contravene civil service rules punishable by dismissal.
He further revealed that the eight-year tenure policy for directors had also affected Ndagi-Ishaq, thus disqualifying him from being appointed as the Executive Director of NCRI.
The petition was copied to ICPC headquarters in Minna and Abuja, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Agricultural Council of Nigeria, ICPC Committee of NCRI, all labour unions in the institute and the media.
Responding, the Executive Director of National Cereals Research Institute, (NCRI), Badeggi, Dr Mohammed Ndagi Ishaq, refuted the allegations saying that the petitioner is known for his fictitious accusations and a committee in place by the management to tackle his excesses with the submission of report and recommendations soon.
Dr Ishaq noted that he took over on August 1, 2024 and didn’t not received in his handing over note any ICPC committee report hence that is baseless, unfounded and should be disregarded. Noted that his appointment was by the ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria
Also speaking, the Executive Officer, Head of Confidential Secretariat, Mr Kawu Danjuma Sambo denied the allegation of certificate forgery against him, adding that they are blackmailing him because he believes in doing the right thing in the administrative system.
He stated that no committee indicted him while the Institution he graduated from is there for verification and even online, noted that he has been stagnated for ten years and those involved are due for retirement but refused to leave the service.
Meanwhile, the NCRI Committee on ICPC
Dr Oyekazi who confirmed the existence of the committee, however decline to talk saying that he is only answerable to the management of NCRI and ICPC in Minna.
