President Muhammadu Buhari has relieved Prof Charles Dokubo of his post as the Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta.
Buhari also appointed Col. Milland Dikio (rtd.), as interim administrator of the programme.
Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, announced this on Thursday in a statement titled, ‘President Buhari appoints Col. Dikio (retd.) Interim Amnesty Programme administrator disengages Prof. Dokubo as coordinator.’
The announcement brings to an end the trouble that started earlier in the year, when Buhari suspended Dokubo following allegations of fraud.
His suspension was based on a recommendation of a panel headed by the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.).
According to Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, the panel had looked into the “numerous allegations and petitions surrounding the Presidential Amnesty Programme” and reached the conclusion that Dokubo should be suspended.
In Dokubo’s place then, a caretaker committee was appointed by Buhari to review the programme by bringing its operations in line with the objective of the scheme.
Since then, there have been threats from ex-militants in the region, who warned that scrapping the Amnesty Programme would result in a resurgence of crisis in the oil-rich region.
Shehu announced Thursday that Dokubo had been directed to hand over all official matters to the most senior officer of the Programme.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Col. Milland Dikio (retd.) as Interim Administrator (Amnesty Programme) with effect from August 21, 2020.
“This followed the President’s approval of the disengagement of Prof. Charles Dokubo from office as the Coordinator, Amnesty Programme with immediate effect.
“Prof. Dokubo has been directed to hand over all official matters to the most senior officer of the Programme.
“President Buhari appreciated the services of Prof. Dokubo to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and wished him the best in his future endeavours,” Shehu said.
