The National Security Adviser, NSA, Babagana Monguno, has denied the claim that he was not consulted prior to the appointment of Amb. Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar as Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that some anonymous former directors of the NIA claimed that Monguno had told the National Assembly that he was unaware of the appointment of the Director General in 2018.
But in a statement on Friday, ONSA’s Chief of Strategic Communications Zakari Usman said that the appointment of the NIA Director General is purely the prerogative of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The statement added that the appointment of Mr. Abubakar as Head of the NIA is purely correct.
The statement read: “Speculation by the anonymous former directors that the National Security Advisor had told the National Assembly that he was unaware of the appointment of the Director General in 2018 are false.
“The appointment of the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency was made in full compliance with the relevant law.
“To make things clear, in accordance with the provisions of the Instrument established by the Agency by virtue of the National Security Agencies Act of 1986, Cap 278 LFN, the appointment and mandate of the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency is the prerogative exclusive of the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
“This office wishes to point out that a Federal High Court chaired by Judge Okon Abang has already dismissed a lawsuit challenging the appointment of the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency.”
The statement added that the intelligence community is pleased with Mr. Abubakar’s work since his appointment as Head of the NIA.
“The National Security Advisor is equally satisfied with the level of consultation between his office and the Director General to fulfill the functions of the National Intelligence Agency.
“Contrary to these false claims, Ambassador Abubakar never failed a promotion test and has always been an outstanding officer,” the statement added.
The ONSA, therefore, advised all actors in the security and intelligence sector to ignore the “regrettable falsehood that these shadow groups are selling,” warning them to desist from violating the secret on which the Intelligence Community operates. .
“Appropriate measures are being taken to unmask them and bring them to justice,” the statement said.
