December 01, (THEWILL) — The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has questioned a former Director of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Yisau A. Adepoju, over his alleged continued involvement in the Commission after retirement and the irregularities surrounding his contract engagement.
Adepoju, who retired from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, was re-engaged by the FCCPC on a one-year contract from August 2023 to August 1, 2024.
Sources within the Commission told THEWILL that he was placed on Grade Level 17 Step 7—a rank critics say contravenes Public Service Rules governing the engagement of retired senior officers on contract.
Despite the expiration of his contract, Adepoju reportedly continued working within the Commission as a consultant, operating within the administrative structure without mandatory clearance from the Office of the Head of Service or the supervising Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
Preliminary ICPC findings indicate that Adepoju continued performing functions similar to his previous role as Director, even without formal authorization.
The development has sparked debates over due process, compliance lapses, and adherence to federal regulations within the FCCPC.
A senior official familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity, described the situation as “a clear violation of the Public Service Rules.”
“Remaining in an administrative role after the expiration of a contract without proper clearance is against established procedures,” the official said.
He added that the arrangement could stifle career growth for qualified staff within the agency.
“There are competent personnel within the Commission who can handle these responsibilities, but certain individuals created room for an irregular extension of his influence,” he noted.
Some insiders are now calling on the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to conduct a thorough probe into the matter and sanction those responsible for procedural breaches.
Efforts to obtain comments from the FCCPC and ICPC were unsuccessful as of press time.
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