The Suspended General Secretary of the Union of Industry, Commerce and Finance Workers (UNICOF) John Esiape has dared the union to produce evidence to prove allegations of malfeasance it levelled against him.
John Esiape was suspended by UNICOF in May this year over allegations of malfeasance.
The 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 John Esiape.
In an exclusive interview with Citi Business News the Suspended General Secretary of UNICOF John Esiape dared his accusers to produce evidence to prove the allegations leveled against him.
“These are allegations and am saying that, he who has alleges must prove. So if they produce things to prove they should bring it to our attention but as far as the processes are concerned am yet to be confronted with anything that is prove enough of my guilt. That absolutely would not be the case.”
John Esiape further stated that, “I am not interested at this stage in which position I occupy, in all these the most important thing for me is reputation. I just want to clear my name; thereafter we can look at what positions are available. Otherwise if you don’t have a good reputation there is not position for you. So my focus is clearing my name. I believe strongly that it will be done.”
Mr. Esiape however tells Citi Business News he will hurl the union to court over his suspension as he believes the interdiction and suspension is an infringement on his rights.
“I have already informed my lawyers on going to court and they are going to advice on the way forward. I can assure you that what we have asked for if it is not done and indeed it has not been done. The impact of that slanderous publication cannot be addressed unless to go to court and we will be heading there soon.”
John Esiape was of the view that the committee UNICOF set up has taken too long in completing its work and making public its report.
He stated that “as a law abiding citizen and a member of the union, he is not interested in doing anything that will affect the process which has almost come to an end but is being stalled for reasons best known to the union.
Mr. Esiape believed that “the union has set a record in interdicting and suspending one person at the same time and these are infringements on my rights and the laws of the land.”
UNICOF dragged to NLC over General Secretary’s suspension
His assertions follows the hurling of UNICOF by Isaac Bondorin who is the Vice Chairman of the Tema region of the union, to the National Labour Commission (NLC) over what he describes as wrongful application of the union’s constitution over the suspension of its General Secretary.
According to Isaac Bondorin, the actions taken against the General Secretary are unlawful and likely to result in judgment debts.
Mr. Bondorin also fears the matter if unresolved, could further lead to the collapse of the Union. UNICOF in May this year suspended its General Secretary, John Esiape over alleged malfeasance. The suspension which took effect on May 13 also demanded that Mr. Esiape returned all assets of UNICOF in his possession by close of work Tuesday May 17, 2016.
But commenting on the development to Citi Business News, Isaac Bondorin said his action was motivated by his quest to ensure the proper implementation of the constitutional procedures.
“I have a duty to protect the constitution of UNICOF and that has motivated me…I cannot allow the constitution of the union to be handled any how or manipulated for the advantage of certain people that is why I’m taking this action. It looks like some kind of kangaroo committee that has been formed to get the General Secretary out of office. As a member of UNICOF I’m duty bound to protect the interest of UNICOF and that is exactly what am doing,” he observed.
At the time, persons with knowledge on the matter told Citi Business News John Esiape’s interdiction, follows the alteration of a document by UNICOF’s accountant, who during investigations reveled he was given the go ahead to make the amendments by the General Secretary.
John Esiape threatens legal action over suspension
John Esiape has since threatened legal action against the union over his suspension.
According to him, the Management committee of the Union has no power to suspend him per the rules of UNICOF. A letter from John Esiape to the Chairman of UNICOF, Alex Nyarko – Opoku, cited by Citi Business News stated “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 also asked that the chairman acts with dispatch to rectify the situation or risk being sued.
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By: Norvan Acquah-Hayford/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
