Head Of Service Debunks Extortion Of N23m From Civil Servants

The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has denied reports on some media platforms that it extorted N23 million from 92 applicants who were aspiring to become permanent secretaries.

OHCSF in a statement signed by its director of communications, Mohammed Ahmed at the weekend in Abuja, clarified that the N250,000 demanded from 92 applicants was for a one-week long training programme commencing from October 23 to 28, 2023 at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN).

Ahmed said the money for the one-week training did not go into the account of the Head of Service but was directed into the accounts of PSIN and the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) which are officially responsible for the training and retraining of Civil servants.

The office demanded a retraction of the report, adding that an apology must be made in 24 hours as part of efforts to put the records straight. 

 The statement said; “It is imperative to state here that the course fee was not determined by the OHCSF nor is it paid into the office‘s account. Training and retraining of civil servants is the core mandate of PSIN and the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) and as such, monies for such are paid directly into the aforementioned training institutions’ NUBAN account, linked to the federal government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA). 

“It may also interest you to know that the said training is the fifth in the series since its inception and, most importantly, it is optional. As such, it is the prerogative of the prospective candidate to pay and participate or not. It is aimed at refreshening, as well as sharpening their skills and competencies. There is no penalty for non-participation. 

“For the avoidance of doubt and the records, the process for the selection of Federal Permanent Secretaries is segmented, rigorous, and transparent. The medium is advised to come for tutelage on the process and posting of Permanent Secretaries rather than relying on allegations and misinformation. This is highly unethical, to say the least.

“It is rather unfortunate that due diligence was not done before this publication. It was written with the sole aim of misinforming the general public for reasons best known to them.”