GROSS MISCONDUCT: IREE POLY GOVERNING COUNCIL CHARGE TO ACT IN ACCORDANCE TO LAW, SANCTION OFFICERS THAT LEAKED OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS OF THE INSTITUTION TO PREVENT REOCCURRENCE. GROUP CHARGES OSPLOY COUNCIL

Leaked information can lead to significant reputational harm. Increasingly, the machinery of government in Nigeria seems to be finding it difficult to protect the confidentiality of information used in policymaking and administration. Apparently in a bid to tackle the menace, government at all levels is expected to issue a memo warning any officer caught engaging in such unbecoming act. In the memo it should be clearly indicated that any staff caught will be severely dealt with in line with the relevant provisions of the Public Service Rules and other extant laws. 

A group known Osun Must Progress (OMP)has condemned and unhappy with how the case of leakage of official

documents of Top Management, The Governing Council, personal file of staff and documents in the personnel affairs of the registry, including the Appointments Promotions and Disciplinary

Committee of Osun state polytechnic IREE (Ospoly )is been managed, treated and handled.

The case which involved Mr Adeosun Olusegun (Deputy Registrar) and Mr Abioye E.O (Personal

Assistant to the Rector). It was reliably gathered that the panel of Enquiry set up by the Governing Council confirmed the case, but it looks as if the matter is now being swept under the carpet with favoritism and impunity despite the findings of the Panel. The Council also seems not to be paying attention to the matter.  

Addressing the Press, the President of the group Comrade Akinwole Tajudeen Adekunle said "As a group we are mindful of the fact that the emergence of Julie Asange’s Wikileaks and indeed the internet has engendered a situation where leaking secrets and other data and information considered ‘highly confidential’ is now almost a fad of sorts. This has made every country, state, government agencies and parastals to guard with greater care information that could compromise security or the well-being of their citizens or establishment. What is bizarre in the case in IREE Poly is that it is those who are charged with safeguarding sensitive documents that leaked them to the public. This is reprehensible." 

 

"If the suspects (Mr Adeosun Olusegun and Mr Abioye E.O) in this case were left unpunished no official document will be sacred anymore and it is those charged with protecting these materials that will give them out either for malicious intent against other persons or to justify their own actions." 

"We reaffirm our commitment to transparency and the right of the public to know about the goings-on in government. We also uphold the Freedom of Information Act which gives Nigerians the legal right to ask for and access information and documents held by the government or its agencies in the bid to promote such openness. We, however, frown at the torrential outpouring of official documents in a manner that practically subverts the state." 

"It's equally important to let the Ospoly Governing Council know that these leaks have costs and consequences. They are also taking a toll on the reputation of the current administration, and the institution itself. In lieu of the above points made it is important that the Council should act in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Public Service Rules and other extant and sanctioning the culpable officers who committed this serious acts of GROSS.

The group then concluded that culprits Should be brought to book to serve as lesson to others aiming to perpetrates such act.