The General Secretary of the Union of Industry, Commerce and Finance Workers (UNICOF) John Esiape has threatened legal action against the union over his suspension.
According to the John Esiape the Management committee of the Union has no power to suspend him per the rules of UNICOF.
[contextly_sidebar id=”cH3d39c5xhlsaO1Ae6XHYevRILivewwq”]A document citied by Citi Business News earlier dated May 13, 2016 and signed by the Chairman of UNICOF Alex Nyarko – Opoku stated that John Esiape was suspended until investigation over alleged malfeasance is completed and directed John Esiape to return all assets of UNICOF in his possession by close of work on Tuesday.
The document stated that “the Management Committee of UNICOF after a meeting has resolved to that until the work of an investigative panel is concluded, we are by this letter suspending you as the General Secretary with effect from 13th May, 2016.”
It is unclear what led to his suspension, but persons with knowledge on the matter tell Citi Business News, John Esiape’s suspension, follows the alteration of a document by UNICOF’s accountant, who during investigations revealed he was given the go ahead to make the amendments by the General Secretary.
Iin a letter from John Esiape to the Chairman of UNICOF Alex Nyarko – Opoku cited by Citi Business News stated that “It is instructive to note that by the UNICOF constitution, the Council (National Executive Council) may suspend a National Officer on proven grounds Of gross misconduct by the votes of not less than 80% of its membership.”
John Esiape who described the interdiction and suspension letters from UNICOF and signed by its chairman Alex Nyarko – Opoku as slanderous asked that the chairman act with dispatch to rectify the situation or risk being sued.
Earlier some members of UNICOF have questioned his suspension. Some of them who spoke to Citi Business News said the management committee has no mandate to suspend the General Secretary or any other person as that power can only be exercised by the National Executive Council (NEC).
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By: Norvan Acquah – Hayford/Citibusinessnews/Ghana