A conglomerate of 15 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria, the Coalition of Civil Society for Rule of Law and Justice has condemned what it called a planned extension of the tenure of the Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Carol Wura-Ola Adepoju by another six months, saying such action violates the civil service rule in Nigeria.
The coalition expressed shock over the alleged planned extension, which it perceived as unlawful and should not be overlooked.
After a roundtable meeting on Thursday, the Convener of the coalition, Mr. Ndubisi Nwogu told the media that: “The Acting Comptroller General Immigration is retired officially from the Immigration Service since 31st May 2023 and the Immigration Act do not give room for retired personnel or those that are not in the Immigration Service to head the Service. Wura-Ola has been retired since 31st May, and we were even shocked when she was appointed to act as Comptroller General for three months which we even perceive as illegal when there are eminently qualified officers still in Service. Since the deed is done, she can only act as Comptroller General for three months and nothing more. Anything other than that by the Board or Mr President would be illegal and unlawful, and any extension is like extending the retirement age of someone in service, which is not possible except the public service rule is changed”.
Nwogu also said: “If this is allowed, it will set a bad precedent and as a coalition, we will take all lawful action to stop this illegality if Carol Wura-Ola Adepoju don’t tow the path of honour, take a bow and quit the stage as Acting Controller General by the end of August 2023″.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Adepoju as NIS’ acting Comptroller General on 31st May.
The CSOs said the action was taken because “the President was not properly briefed on her retirement status but what puzzles us now is the proposed fresh 6 months extension after she had earlier been granted three months within which to enable the Ministry pick a substantive Comptroller General.
“If she could not hold the service in three months post-retirement, what will she be able to achieve in six months? This move by those in the corridors of power leaves more to be desired. That is why Mr. President has to know what some of his lieutenants are not telling him”.
