The Union of Industry, Commerce and Finance Workers (UNICOF) has expelled its General Secretary, John Esiape, Citi Business News has gathered.
A letter cited by Citi Business News dated July 26, 2016, addressed to John Esiape and signed by the Chairman of UNICOF, Alex Nyarko – Opoku stated that the National Executive Council (NEC) has expelled John Esiape as the General Secretary due to gross misconduct.
The document stated that “the NEC at a meeting held on 16th July, 2016, dismissed you as General Secretary and expelled you from the National Union by majority vote of 87% to 13% for gross misconduct arising from dishonesty, acting against the interest of the union and bringing the name of the union into disrepute.”
The document further stated “the decision of NEC was based on a report of the panel of investigators that was constituted to determine the complaint lodged against you by the staff of the union.”
According to the document, John Esiape’s dismissal was effective 16th July, 2016.
However UNICOF in an earlier letter dated July 15, 2016, addressed to the Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission (NLC) stated that the Management Committee of UNICOF erred by suspending the General Secretary John Esiape.
Additionally the letter stated that “John Esiape was required to return to the National Secretariat all the union’s property in his possession including official vehicle by August 8, 2016.
Mr. Esiape prior to this dismissal was on suspension.
Meanwhile persons with knowledge on the matter tell Citi Business News, John Esiape’s expulsion, 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.
This is not the first time John Esiape has made news for the wrong reasons.
During the launch of ADB’s IPO last year his name popped up for allegedly taking 35,000 dollars cash in bribe to fight the management of Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).
He has since denied those allegations.
Meanwhile some members of UNICOF have questioned his dismissal.
Some of them who spoke to Citi Business News said the NEC cannot caution the accountant and dismiss the General Secretary as the accused person has not had the right to respond to the report of the panel of investigator’s report before it was laid before the NEC.
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By: Norvan Acquah – Hayford/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana