Extending Tenure Of Acting Comptroller General Of Immigration Illegal, CSOs Tell Tinubu

The Coalition of Civil Society for Rule of Law and Justice, a conglomerate of 15 civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria, has condemned what it called 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.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday after a roundtable meeting, the Convener of the Coalition, Nwogu Ndubisi, stated that: “The Acting Comptroller General Immigration is retired officially from the Immigration Service since May 31st 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.”

Ndubisi also stated that, “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.”

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Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had appointed Carol Wura-Ola Adepoju as Acting Comptroller General of NIS on May 31, 2023.

But, 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 3 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 6 months? This move by those at 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.”