Embattled Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, Imo state, Dr. Angela Uwakwem has been occupying her office illegally, NewHorizon has learnt.

 

Dr. Uwakwem’s tenure was purportedly renewed in 2013, after she was initially appointed by then Minister of Health, Professor Babtunde Osotimehin, on 29th June 2009 with the Authorisation of the former President Goodluck Jonathan.

 

The embattled ex CMD has been in the news of late over the running battle she was having with the staff of the hospital because alleged cases of nepotism, occultic practices within the hospital premises, high handiness and allegedly enriching herself from the coffers of the medical center to the detriment of her staff.

 

The result was a strike action that led to her suspension from office following a panel of inquiry set up by the. Ministry to look into allegations leveled against her by staff.

 

However, according to her letter of renewal, rather than the Authorisation of renewal’of tenure coming from immediate past Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, Dr. Uwakwem’s letter for renewal of tenure emanated from the Human Resources office of the Health Ministry, headed by then Director in the department, Dr. M. L. Yahuza, who is now retired.

 

While the circumstance under which Dr. Yahuza issued a ‘Presidential Authorisation’ for the renewal of tenure of a Medical Director which is equivalent to the Director General of any government parastatal, NewHorizon learnt that according to civil service rule, only the President has the right to appoint or renew the tenure of the head of any Federal Government Agency.

 

A staff of the Ministry who pleaded for anonymity explained to our correspondent that “a Minister, can mandate a Permanent Secretary to issue a letter to either appoint or renew an appointment but it has to be by order of the President. But definitely not a Director in the Ministry

 

When contacted by our correspondent, Dr. Yakuza said he was no more in the Service directing us to go to the Health Ministry for any inquiry saying “all relevant documents are in the Ministry. Dr. Uwakwem refused to pick her calls or reply to a text message sent to her.

 

Further calls to Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu’s number did not go through.

 

Meanwhile, the Ministry has yet to reply to the request for confirmation by a Civil Society Organisation, Fiscal Transparency and Accountability Initiative.

 

By Benjamin Olisaemeka

newhorizon