By Safiu Kehinde
Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, has cautioned the presidency against saying that former Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Mr. Babatunde Irukera, was dismissed Describing “dismissal” as libellous, Falana said rather than be condemned, Irukera deserves huge commendation from Nigeria for his service to the country.
Crediting Irukera with a reorganisation of FCCPC, he said he should be sent a letter of commendation for turning around the agency.
Irukera had successfully led a campaign that led to the British Tobacco company agreeing to pay a sum of $110m fine to Nigeria in December 2023 for consumer rights violation. Falana said a public officer of this nature could not be disgraced.
Falana said: “So the removal has to go through the Senate. And what is even more embarrassing is the use of the word ‘dismissal’.
You do not dismiss somebody who has not committed an offence or has not been found wanting. This is a man who has done well for the country. He did what no regulatory agency has done for the country.
“A tobacco company paid $110 million to Nigeria and to the coffers of the government. But the painful aspect, for me, is that I was just suggesting yesterday that that money be used to upgrade one of the cancer centres in Nigeria.”
“It’s actually libellous also to announce the dismissal of a public officer who has not been found wanting or indicted for a serious misconduct.
But what is important is that this is a man who should be commended by the entire country for the way and manner he organised the commission.
“This was recently demonstrated in the fine of $110 million imposed on the tobacco company, which has been paid to the coffers of the government. That company will be laughing at us. So, you cannot justify it.”