The Advocates Against Corruption in Public Service in Nigeria has accused Theo Onyuku, the acting chief medical director of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar, of falsifying his age and employment records.

Akiki Inam, solicitor to the Calabar-based group, made the allegation in a petition to the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare.

Mr Inam said Mr Onyuku was unfit to hold the position of the CMD because of his “questionable character and dented records of service.”

He said there were discrepancies between the year the acting CMD was admitted into service and when he did his residency.

He said Mr Onyuku also provided three different age declarations in his employment records.

“His employment records with the human resources department of the hospital show different dates of birth, such as June 20, 1965; June 20, 1967; and June 20, 1968.

“Upon his employment in 1997, his date of birth was June 20, 1965, but a record of service personally completed by him shows June 20, 1967. His curriculum vitae as found in his file in the hospital, shows his date of birth as June 20, 1968; this is contradicting,” he said.

Mr Inam added that it was criminal and unlawful for any employee to present inconsistent dates of birth in their employment records. The lawyer further stated that Mr Onyuku was employed as a resident doctor on September 1, 1997, presumably after undertaking the compulsory national youth service.

“Available records show that he completed his national youth service in 2003. So he was not qualified to be employed as a resident doctor in 1997,” he said.

He also mentioned that the foundation of the CMD’s employment was morally dubious, questionable, and suspicious and required proper investigations and sanctions.

When contacted, Mr Onyuku said he was aware of the petition but declined to comment.

“I am aware of the matter. I can’t say anything about it now because it is currently before the ministry for investigation. I won’t preempt the outcome of their investigation with any response.

“I am sure that all this will be made open by February. I, however, want you to know that anyone in a position of authority will always have opposition,” he stated.

(NAN)