The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has lauded the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) for the disciplinary action against the former Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Jonah Otunla.
HEDA’s Chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, said this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.
Suraju expressed appreciation for ICANN’s fulfillment of its commitment to inform the organisation of the outcome of a disciplinary proceeding against Otunla, on professional grounds.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Otunla was the AGF from June 28, 2011 to June 12, 2015.
The group had previously filed a complaint against Otunla accusing him of embezzlement and stealing approximately N6.3 billion.
“We received the judgment with excitement and assurance that accountability is about to take firm root in our professional associations.
“We also commend the President of the Institute and his Council members on this act.
“We, as an organisation, believe that the disciplinary action and its outcome will further deter corrupt practices among members of this noble profession.
“Thank you once again as you are always assured of our support and commitment to professional integrity, enforcement of ethics, and the fight against corruption and misappropriation of public funds in the country,” Suraju said.
According to him, the Otunla has been suspended from membership of the ICAN for a period of 10 years.
He added that Otunla had been ordered to return his membership certificate and license.
“The suspension period shall run from the date the certificate and license are returned to the institute.
“The respondent is also ordered to pay the cost of N1,000,000, which covers the expenses of the proceedings at the investigating panel and the tribunal in this case,” Suraju quoted the ICAN judgment as saying.
He added that ICAN warned Otunla that failure to comply with the judgment would result in automatic removal from the institute’s membership register.
Suraju said that HEDA welcomed the judgment with enthusiasm and expressed confidence that it would foster a stronger culture of accountability within professional associations.
“We also extend our congratulations to the President of the Institute, Malam Tijani Isa, council members, and the entire members for this significant accomplishment,” he said.
Suraju said that as an organisation, HEDA, firmly believe that this disciplinary action and its outcome would serve as a deterrent against corrupt practices among members of the profession.(NAN)
