Legal Luminary, Mr. Femi Falana has condemned the dismissal of the former Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Mr. Babatunde Irukera, saying the use for the word ‘dismissal,’ is libellous.
Falana held that rather than being sacked, Irukera, who had reorganised FCCPC, should be sent a letter of commendation for turning around the agency.
Osun Defender had reported on Tuesday how Irukera who was instrumental to the British Tobacco company agreeing to pay a sum of $110m fine to Nigeria in December 2023 for consumer rights violation, was dismissed a month after the record breaking feat.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria also stated that the use of the word “dismissal” was also libellous.
He explained that the president had not told anyone the offence committed by Irukera and argued that the use of “commissioner” in the law also applied to the erstwhile FCCPC boss.
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.”
The rights activist stated that before Irukera was removed, he had other such pending matters, which would have also benefitted the country.
According to him, “And upon it all, you said he has been dismissed. Dismissal? He won $110 million at a time you need foreign exchange very badly and he has similar cases pending. Nobody has run that place like this guy. The guy has reorganised the place.
“This is arguably the most effective regulatory agency in the country and you treat him so shabbily as if he has committed an offence. The president can remove any anybody per se, but to say the person has been dismissed is libellous.”
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
