The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to reinstate Ntia Thompson, who was sacked after exposing a $229,000 fraud.

In a statement signed by its deputy director, Timothy Adewale, SERAP gave Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama a seven-day ultimatum to recall Thompson.

It requested the minister to use his position to facilitate the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of Mr. Thompson.

SERAP said, “Therefore, should you fail and/or neglect to act as requested within seven days after the receipt and/or publication of this letter, SERAP will be compelled to pursue appropriate legal action against your ministry to challenge the unfair treatment and victimisation of Mr Thompson.”

It added, “We also urge you to act swiftly to identify those involved in the alleged fraud and hand them over to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for further investigation and prosecution, as well as recover any stolen public funds.

“Impunity for reprisals against Mr Thompson would send a message to all potential whistle-blowers that your ministry lacks the commitment to their protection.”

Thompson, an assistant director with the DTCA in charge of the SERVICOM Unit, who disclosed how $229,000 and N800, 000 were allegedly diverted in the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA) was sacked on February 7.

He wrote a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, asking it to probe an allegation of fraud involving some top officials of the corporation.

Azeez