Four
days after the order of President Muhammadu Buhari for the “immediate
disengagement” of embattled ex-Chairman of the Presidential Task Team on
Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, from the Federal Civil Service, the
process leading to his disengagement is yet to commence.
Sunday Punch gathered in Abuja that as of the close of work on
Friday, the Federal Civil Service Commission had yet to commence the process.
Findings
revealed that the process for disengaging a civil servant from the system, as
laid down in the rules and regulations of the service, would require strict
adherence to civil service rules and procedures in order to avoid its
nullification through the judicial process.
A
serving director in one of the Federal Government ministries, who spoke on
condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, explained that irrespective of
the gravity of the offence, an accused person was entitled to an opportunity to
defend himself or herself before further action could be taken.
He,
however, added that in the event the person failed to honour the summons when
opportunities were provided, a decision to discipline in accordance with the
rules would apply.
The
director stated, “It will require first that a query be issued to the person
concerned; he can then be warned as the case may be and then a board/committee
will be set up to investigate the matter.
“And
in the course of its investigations, the board has powers, according to our
rules, to summon the accused person to defend himself. It is after this
procedure is carefully followed that further action can be taken.”
Commenting
on the Presidential order, he said, “Yes, the President has spoken. My
understanding of what he said is that the civil service commission, which has
the statutory duty of hiring and firing, should commence the procedure of
ensuring that this happens.
“Mr.
President that I know is a man that follows procedure; that is why some of his
actions are being misinterpreted to mean he is slow.”
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