Staff unions in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) have asked Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, to follow extant laws by appointing the most senior director as new accountant general for the nation.
The workers in a letter asked the minister to ensure that the appointment or selection of a new Accountant General of the Federation is based on the Federal Establishment Circular 2011-2020.
In the letter dated June 6, 2022, the unions noted that in the next few months, the Acting AGF would be exiting from service.
While acknowledging the speed at which an Acting AGF was appointed following the suspension of the AGF over an allegation of an N80bn fraud, they said appointing the most senior director (Accounts) in the pool for the job is the appropriate thing to do.
The circular partly read, “We know you for your integrity and prudence, it is on this note that we the Union of this office wishes to extend our gratitude for your quick intervention in appointing the new Acting AGF. This is necessary to keep the services of the nation going.
“The most Senior Director (Accounts) in the pool, according to the circular attached should be considered. Based on your integrity and transparency, the Union knows that the needful will be done. Kindly accept the best assurance of the Union as the utmost regards ma.”
The workers said if this is done, the image and confidence of the treasury will be maintained.
The statement adds, “We wish to commend and appreciate your effort towards the appointment of the Acting Accountant General of the Federation. The entire staff of the OAGF is so proud of you.”
“The Union is praying that in the next few months when the Acting AGF will be exiting from service, the Substantive AGF should be appointed or selected based on the Federal Establishment circular 2011 – 2020. With this, the image and confidence of the treasury will be maintained.”
The Federal Establishment circular 2011 – 2020 draws the attention of all Head of Extra Ministerial Departments/Directors General/Chief Executive Officers of Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions and Government Owned companies, to keep to the date of expiration of their tenure in office.
Among others, it states: “It is important to note that chief Executives whose duration of the term in office are explicitly stated in the enabling Acts of the establishment of their respective organisations and/or as specified in the instrument of such respective appointments, are under no circumstances, allowed to exceed the expiration of their tenure in office.”
It also mandates chief executive officers to hand over to the next most senior officer of the establishment as long as such officer to be handed over to does not have any pending disciplinary matter.
The circular states: “Furthermore, pending the appointment of a substantive Head of Extra-Ministerial Department/Director General/Chief Executive Officer of parastatals, Agency, Commission and Government Owned company, the outgoing Chief Executive Officer must hand over to the next most Senior Officer of the establishment, as long as the officer does not have any pending disciplinary marten. Outgoing Heads of Extra-Ministerial Department, Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions and Government-Owned.”
Recall that the AGF, Ahmed Idris was suspended over an allegation of N80bn fraud. He was arrested by the EFCC, and arraigned in court but is now out of detention on bail. Subsequently, the finance minister appointed Anamekwe Nwabuoku to oversee the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF).
According to a statement by the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Nwabuoku was to oversee the affairs of the office during the pendency of Idris’ investigation.
