Controversy As Buhari Appoints Hairdresser As Head Of NEXIM Bank, Lawyers Kick

 The appointment of Stella Okotete as the executive director of the Nigeria Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank by President Buhari is currently generating controversy and part of it is the backlash that emanated over her qualification for the position.

Legal practitioners of the Lawyers For Justice Reform had on December 1, 2022 launched an appeal during a press briefing demanding the immediate removal of Okotete.
The lawyers are seeking her removal as a result of series of financial fraud allegations against her and her unqualified status as the executive director of NEXIM Bank.
According to the executive director of the group and secretary of the Epe Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Aare Oladotun Hassan, Okotete does not have the requirements to land her the job.

He noted that a petition had long been submitted in 2018 seeking her removal with damning evidence by the senate committee in charge.

Hassan noted that Okotete does not meet the criteria of 18 years of mandatory experience in financial matters, and 13 of the 18 years must be in the banking sector.

In his words:
"Her relied well scripted and fraudulently concocted CV (Currently under scrutiny); which only has her records as a former Counsellor and beauty Salon Hairdresser and Spa Operator before her appointment to the most exalted position as the Executive Director of the apex financial institution regulating Nigeria's Exports and Imports Businesses: NEXIM BANK."

"In compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria Act Regulations and Order 41(3) of the Senate Rule and by the reason for her lack of capacity not to have served in the banking service for 18 years and must have risen to the level of General Manager for two years, hence she is not fit and merit to continue to hold the Executive Director of the NEXIM BANK, we, therefore, call on President Muhammadu Buhari to act decisively accordingly."

He therefore called urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order the prosecution of Okotete for the alleged misappropriation of funds in her office, while he posited that a deadline of Wednesday, December 7, will be given to the federal government, while failure to act will lead to litigation against President Buhari