Allegations against me unfounded – NCRI boss

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

The Executive Director of National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, Dr. Mohammed Ndagi Ishaq, have refuted the allegations raised by a petitioner against the legibility of his appointment, gross misconduct and maladministration is baseless and unfounded.

Dr. Ishaq asserted this while speaking to journalists in Minna, saying that the petitioner is known for his fictitious accusations and a committee in place by the management to tackle his excesses which is expected to submit report and recommendations soon.

He noted that he took over on August 1, 2024 and didn’t not received in his handing over note any ICPC committee report that indicated any staff of certificate and urging to disregard the speculation of abuse of office among others.

Also speaking, the Executive Officer, Head of Confidential Secretariat, Mr Kawu Danjuma Sambo denied the allegation of certificate forgery against him, stated that no committee indicted him while the Institution he graduated from is there for verification and even online, noted that he has been stagnated for ten years and those involved are due for retirement but refused to leave the service.

Recall that Malam Mohammed Tswayan has petitioned the Executive Director of National Cereals Research Institute, (NCRI), Badeggi, Dr Mohammed Ndagi Ishaq over arbitrary disrespect to the civil service rules and regulations.

The petition dated 6/1/2025 was made available to newsmen in Minna, also questioned the appointment of the current NCRI boss without presidential approval, adding that other agencies under the ministry who had the same interview in NCRI Badeggi, are waiting for presidential approval.

Tsyawan, an Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Pension Unit of NCRI, also petitioned the Executive Officer, Head of Confidential Secretariat, Mr Kawu Danjuma Sambo, who was indicted of certificate forgery by the institute’s anti-corruption committee, called for indepth investigation and justice on the allegations he raised by relevant authorities.

He also called on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Head of Civil Service of the Federation to question the Minister of Agriculture on how Ndagi-Ishaq emerged through the back door as the NCRI executive director.

The petition was allegedly copied to ICPC headquarters in Minna and Abuja, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Agricultural Council of Nigeria, ICPC Committee of NCRI, all labour unions in the institute and the media.