The Nigerian House of Representatives has said that President Muhammadu Buhari does not have the powers to extend the tenure of a permanent secretary or any civil servant who is due for retirement.
The House Committee on Basic Education, headed by Hon. Zakari Mohammed, said it was illegal for President Buhari to have extended the tenure of Dr Jamila Shu’ara, as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education.
In its report, the committee cited section 171 of the constitution which empowered the President to appoint top government officials but did not give him the powers to extend a Permanent Secretary’s tenure in office.
Shu’ara now 61, had served out her tenure in February, 2016 and was due to retire according to the extant Public Service Rules which set the retirement age at 60.
The lower chamber therefore mandated the Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, to recover all the salaries and benefits paid to Shu’ara in the last one year.
“The Head of Service should invoke the relevant rules to recover all the emoluments paid to Jamila Shu’ara for the period of her tenure elongation,” the report said.
“The Federal government should ensure that civil service rules and procedures are strictly followed. The HOS should ensure compliance with the subject matter and report back to the house in four weeks.”
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