President sends ICPC Chairman on compulsory leave.

Sources say Ekpo Nta had earlier ignored two letters from the SGF's Office directing him to go on a compulsory leave.

Chairman of the  Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Mr Ekpo Nta, has reportedly been sent on a compulsory leave.

Vanguard cited a source at the ICPC which claimed that Nta received a letter from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on Tuesday, Oct. 25, directing him to proceed on a mandatory leave beginning from Wednesday, Oct. 26.

This has fuelled speculations that President Muhammadu Buhari may have sacked the Chairman.

It was gathered that Nta had earlier received two letters from the SGF office giving him the same directive but he ignored them.

Nta was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan in acting capacity in 2011 and confirmed a year later by the Senate.

It was learnt that he had, at a  meeting with Buhari earlier this year, argued that his tenure would end on November 17, 2017; and in response, the President said by his records, Nta's tenure ends on November 17, 2016.

The ICPC Chairman was said to have been 'sacked' over his shoddy handling of corruption cases against former governors. Although no reason was given in the SGF's letter.

Sources say the ICPC boss plans to formally inform the staff of his exit this morning (Oct. 26).