The National Assembly Service Commission, after its marathon meeting on Monday, asked the Clerk to the National Assembly, Olatunde Ojo, to proceed on a three-month terminal leave immediately.

This is contrary to the advice given by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, which said Ojo could remain in service till his retirement in February 2023.

Chairman of the NASC, Ahmed Amshi, in a memo issued to the Clerk after the meeting, a copy of which our correspondent sighted on Tuesday, which was titled, ‘Approval Letter of Pre-Retirement Leave for the Outgoing CNA,’ said Ojo should commence his pre-retirement leave on Monday.

The memo, dated November 14, 2022, with Reference Number NASC/PF/SS/1378, was subtitled, ‘Re: Commencement of Terminal Leave on 14th November, 2022, Eventual Retirement on 14th February, 2023, and Nomination for Vacant Positions.’

It read, “Your letter dated 8th November, 2022, on the above subject matter refers, please.

“The National Assembly Service Commission, at its meeting held on 14th November, 2022, considered your letter and approved the commencement of your pre-retirement leave w.e.f 14th November, 2022, and your eventual retirement on 14th February, 2023.

“As you proceed on your pre-retirement leave, you are to be guided by the provision of the Public Service Rules 100238 and HCSF/PS/CSO/556/11/131 of 1st August, 2012.

“While the Commission is working on the appointment of your successor as the Clerk to the National Assembly, you are to hand over your duties to the most senior officer in the National Assembly management.

“As you finally exit from the service on the 14th February 2023, the Commission hereby appreciates your valuable contributions to the National Assembly service and pray that God will continue to grant you good health and successes in your future endeavours.”

Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, had intervened in the controversy surrounding the Clerk’s retirement.

Gbajabiamila had contacted the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation to clarify whether Ojo could decide not to proceed on a three-month terminal leave or remain in active service till his retirement on February 14, 2023.

A letter from the office, which was addressed to the Chief of Staff to the Speaker, dated November 11, 2022, with Reference Number HCSF/314/93, was titled, ‘Re: Enquiry of Pre-Retirement Leave of a Retiring Civil Servant.’

Signed by the Director of the HoS, Adebayo Odejinmi, for the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, the response to the Speaker read, “I am directed to refer to your letter dated 10th November 2022 on the above subject, seeking clarification on pre-retirement leave.

“The pre-retirement leave is provided for in the Public Service Rule (PSR) 100238, which states: ‘Officers are required to give three months notice to retire from service before the effective date of retirement. At the commencement of the three months, officers should proceed immediately on the compulsory one-month pre-retirement workshop/seminar. For the remaining two months, retiring officers are expected to take necessary measures to put their records straight so as to facilitate the speedy processing of their retirement benefits.’

“Going by the provision, it is compulsory for the retiring officer to give a notice of three months prior to his/her retirement. Among other intents, this provision is to enable the MDA to arrange a replacement in good time for the officer. As provided in the rule and where organised, the retiring officer will attend the one-month pre-retirement seminar. He/she is expected in his/her own interest to gather his/her records from the various MDAs he/she might have served. This is to facilitate the processing of his/her retirement benefits.

“It is, therefore, not out of order if the officer chooses to work in office during the period.

“Please, accept the assurances of the warm regards of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.”

Consequently, the Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Olanrewaju Smart, referred the response from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation to the Chairman of the NASC.

In a letter titled ‘Guidance on Mandatory Three Months Pre-Retirement Leave of a Retiring Civil Servant,’ dated November 11, 2022, with Reference Number: NASS/SPK/ADM/VOL.1/528B, Gbajabiamila urged the NASC, which is billed to meet on Monday on Ojo’s successor, to note the advice.

The letter read, “I am directed to refer the National Assembly Service Commission to the correspondence from the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, HCSF/314/93 on the above subject.

“The Speaker of the House of Representatives has directed that the correspondence should be referred to the commission for guidance and clarification on pre-retirement leave of a retiring civil servant.

“Attached herewith are copies of the above referred correspondence, HCSF/314/93, and the official enquiry letter from the Honourable Speaker to the Head of Civil Service of the Federation dated November 10, 2022.” CONTINUE READING……………………………….

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