CDHR Demands Withdrawal Of Osun HOS Extension Of Service Approval, Writes State Assembly

A human right group, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), has called on the Osun State House of Assembly to investigate the process that led to the extension of the service year of the Head of Service, Head of Service, Mr. Samuel Ayanleye Aina.

The group made the call in a letter signed by its Chairman, Comrade Emanuel Olowu which was submitted to the office of the Speaker, Rt. Hon Wale Egbedun dated 04/03/2024 and obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday, in Osogbo, Osun State capital.

It would recalled that Governor Ademola Adeleke approved the extension of the year of service of the Head of Service, Mr. Samuel Ayanleye Aina, via a letter dated 04/12/2023.

Olowu said that the idea of extending the service year of retiring Public officers is a stampede of the Public Service Rule 020810.

He also noted that the acceptance of the three-year extension of the Head of Service’s tenure or the plan of the Accountant General and other Permanent Secretaries to accept an extension of year of service is against Section 4 – Serious Misconduct 0304029 (XI) which reflects corruption in the Osun State of Nigeria Public Service Rule.

According to the letter, “The Speaker, CDHR is informing you of the ongoing topsy toffy , Noncompliance and Total Disregard to the Public Service Rule (PSR) of Osun State by the Head of Service, Mr. Samuel Ayanleye Aina, and also an attempt by the outgoing Accountant General of the state, Mr. Rasheed Olalere Alabi, to circumvent the Public Service Rule. The action of the duo is generating controversies in the state.

“The disregard to the public service rule by these top civil servants is not only damaging the referred Civil Service but soiling the beautiful image of the State as laid down by our forefathers.

“The Governor had approved the extension of the year of service of the HOS, Mr. Samuel Ayanleye Aina, via a letter dated 04/12/2023. But the approval came to public knowledge a month later, with an announcement by the Spokesperson to the Governor on the 27/01/2024.

“Extension of the year of service of retired public officers is alien to the Osun Public Service Rule (PSR). It is gradually becoming a norm if not checked. This is promoting subversion of the standard of the Osun Public Service Rule (PSR), Creeping career progression, encouraging corrupt practices and promoting Nepotism, among other vices.

“If this is not stopped now, Osun State and Civil Service will be subjected to State of misrule.

“Our organisation is aware that the Head of Service and the Accountant General were to submit their letters of retirement six months before their retirement age.

The Head of Service, Mr Ayanleye Aina was to retire on January 24, 2024 when he clocked 60 years, while the Accountant General, is due for retirement on 14th March, 2024 when he will be attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.

“Governor Adeleke has extended the year of service of the HOS by three years and also planning to approve an extension of service for the Accountant General, contrary to the Press Release emanated from the office of the spokesperson of the Governor on 1st March 2024. This is the reason the Accountant General is yet to process and submit his letter of retirement.

“We demand that the House of Assembly should Investigate; The open disregard to the Public Service Rules by Governor Ademola Adeleke which is an Impeachable offence.

“Why the Accountant General and other Permanent Secretaries whose retirements are less than six months are yet to submit their letter of retirement as stated in the Public Service Rule.

“That Governor Adeleke should instruct the office of the Head of Service to put his words into mediums of communication within civil service as circular letter to deny any plan to extend the year of Service of the retiring Permanent Secretaries who include the Accountant General, The Auditor Generals, Surveyor General, Statistcian General and the likes, and that whoever has reached the age of 60 or spent 35 years in service should go on retirement without further delay.

“For the sake of posterity, the Governor should withdraw (not reduce) the three years extension of service given to the Head of Service, Mr Ayanleye Aina.” the letter added.