UPDATED: Jonathan Suspends BPE Boss With Immediate Effect

PHOTO: SUSPENDED BPE BOSS, MR. CHUKWUMA ANYANWU.

ABUJA, March 8 (THEWILL) – In another move geared towards getting a full grip on the nation’s affairs, Nigerian Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan on Monday suspended the head of Nigeria's Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Christopher Anyanwu, according to presidential spokesman Ima Niboro.

"I can confirm to you that he is now under suspension," he said.

The BPE, Nigeria’s privatization agency is responsible for overseeing the privatization of government owned companies but has been engulfed in the purported controversial sale of NITEL, a government owned telecommunications company to a consortium for $2.5 billion USD.

A consortium including China's second biggest carrier, Unicom and Dubai company Minerva had been named preferred buyers by the BPE on February 16^th this year.

Uncertainty however crept into the announcement when Unicom denied involvement but later acknowledged its European subsidiary had shown interest in the consortium’s bid for NITEL even though it didn’t formally enter into any negotiations with them.

The government has been unsuccessful in its bid to sell NITEL over the years.