DESPERATION: Outgoing AGF Redeploys her Successor Despite Presidential Appointment
In a puzzling twist, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, has redeployed her successor, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, instead of allowing him to shadow her in the role. Ogunjimi, along with 20 other officials, has until Christmas Eve to report to his new post following the unexpected decision.
Mrs Madein who is being investigated by anti-corruption agencies has asserted her intention to remain in office until March 7, 2025, when she is due for retirement. Although she is expected to proceed on pre-retirement leave, she chose to stay in her position and resisted Ogunjimi’s appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which was announced on December 10.
The recent redevelopment of Ogunjimi has raised concerns that it is part of a broader strategy to prevent him from assuming the position of Accountant-General. In a circular dated December 18, which she personally signed, Madein stated, “I hereby approve the posting of the following Directorate Level Treasury Officers with immediate effect towards enhancing effective service delivery. I want to reiterate that all officers must comply; failure to do so shall be treated according to the Public Service Rules (PSR) 020602 (iv).” She advised the affected officers, including Ogunjimi, to submit their assumption of duty certificates by December 24, 2024.
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In this circular, Ogunjimi has been reassigned from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (Funds) to the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) Accounts. Others redeployed include Abalaka James N (OAGF Funds), Dagin Seldam (OAGF STF), and Ekwem Virginus E (OAGF IPPIS).
On December 10, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced Ogunjimi’s appointment as Acting Accountant-General, effective immediately due to Madein’s pre-retirement leave. However, Madein and several top officials in the ministry hindered Ogunjimi’s transition until his redeployment announcement yesterday.
Confusion reigned in the AG-F office as staff members learned that the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (HoCSF) had endorsed Madein’s continued tenure until her retirement date in March. This endorsement allowed her to proceed with Ogunjimi’s redeployment.
The letter authorizing Madein’s extended stay in office was issued by the HoCSF, Mrs. Esther Walson-Jack, and confirmed on December 19 in Abuja. According to spokesperson for the OAGF, Mr. Bawa Mokwa, the letter reaffirms Madein’s role and allows her oversight of treasury operations until her retirement.
Mokwa clarified, “Embarking on terminal leave is optional for retiring civil servants as per civil service regulations. However, uncertainty remains among staff about whether Madein’s letter nullifies Ogunjimi’s presidential appointment.”
While the letter did not explicitly invalidate Ogunjimi’s appointment as Acting AG-F, it may have delayed his official assumption of the role pending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision.
This situation highlights ongoing tensions within the AG-F office and raises questions about the authority of presidential appointments in the face of internal bureaucratic maneuvers.
By PRNigeria
