By Prince Osuagwu

The Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite NigComSat, Limited, Mr. Ahmed Rufai, has been ordered to proceed on indefinite leave. The move, Vanguard gathered, was to enable government to investigate the financial status of the company.

An acting Managing director has also been appointed to oversee the affairs of the company pending conclusion of the investigation.

Head, Public Affairs of the company, Mr. Sonny Aragba-Akpore, said the directive came from the Ministry of Communications Technology.

“Following a ministerial directive by the Communications Technology Minister, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, the Board of Directors of Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd. has asked the Managing Director, Mr. Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai to proceed on indefinite leave.

This directive is to pave way for an investigation into the financial status of the company. Consequently, Ms Abimbola Alale, the Executive Director (Marketing) has been named Acting Managing Director pending the conclusion of the investigation.”

Aragba-Apkore added that “Ahmed-Rufai, who has extensive experience in both private and public sectors, started as Project Manager of NigComSat-1 before the establishment of NIGCOMSAT Limited in April 2006, when he was named Managing Director/ Chief Executive.

“Alale also started as a member of the Project team and was appointed Director of Marketing of NIGCOMSAT Limited in 2006 and rose to the position of Executive Director (Marketing) until her recent appointment as Acting Managing Director.”