Reverse Extension of Service Year for HOS, CDHR Tells Adeleke

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, has asked Governor Ademola Adeleke to reverse the extension of the year of service of the state Head of Service, Mr. Ayanleye Aina.

Aina, who was to retire on January 14, 2024, was granted three more years in service by the Governor, a development described as total disregard for the Public Service Rules in the state.

CDHR made the demand just as he warned Adeleke against extending the service years of the current Accountant General of the state, Mr Rasheed Olalere, who is to retire on March 14.

The organisation, in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Wale Egbedun, accused Adeleke, Aina, and Olalere of promoting subversion of the standard of the Osun Public Service Rule and Creeping career progression of the public officers.

According to the organisation, Olalere ought to have submitted his letter of retirement but refused to do that because of his plan to remain in active service after the required time.

The letter which was submitted to the speaker on Monday reads in part: “CDHR is informing you of the ongoing topsy toffy, Noncompliance, and Total Disregard to the Public Service Rule (PSR) of Osun State by the Head of Service, Mr. Samuel Ayanleye Aina, and also an attempt by the outgoing Accountant General of the state, Mr. Rasheed Olalere Alabi, to circumvent the Public Service Rule. The action of the duo is generating controversies in the state.

“The disregard for the public service rule by these top civil servants is not only damaging the referred Civil Service but soiling the beautiful image of the State as laid down by our forefathers.

“The Governor had approved the extension of the year of service of the HOS, Mr. Samuel Ayanleye Aina, via a letter dated 04/12/2023. But the approval came to public knowledge a month later, with an announcement by the Spokesperson to the Governor on 27/01/2024.

“Extension of the year of service of retired public officers is alien to the Osun Public Service Rule (PSR). It is gradually becoming a norm if not checked.

“This is promoting subversion of the standard of the Osun Public Service Rule (PSR), Creeping career progression, encouraging corrupt practices, and promoting Nepotism, among other vices. If this is not stopped now, Osun State and Civil Service will be subjected to a state of misrule.

“Governor Adeleke has extended the year of service of the HOS by three years and also planning to approve an extension of service for the Accountant General, contrary to the Press Release emanated from the office of the spokesperson of the Governor on 1st March 2024. This is the reason the Accountant General has yet to process and submit his letter of retirement.

“The idea of extending the service year of retiring Public officers is a stampede of the Public Service Rule 020810.

“We therefore, want you to note that the acceptance of the three-year extension of the Head of Service’s tenure or the plan of the Accountant General and other Permanent Secretaries to accept an extension of year of service is against Section 4 – Serious Misconduct 0304029 (XI) which reflects corruption in the Osun State of Nigeria Public Service Rule.”

CDHR demanded that the assembly should investigate what it described as open disregard to the Public Service Rules by Adeleke, the process that led to the extension of the service year of the Head of Service and why the Accountant General and other Permanent Secretaries whose retirements are less than six months were yet to submit their letter of retirement as stated in the Public Service Rule.

The organisation also demanded that Adeleke should instruct the office of the Head of Service to put his words into mediums of communication within civil service as circular letter to deny any plan to extend the year of service of the retiring permanent secretaries who include the Accountant General, The Auditor Generals, Surveyor General, Statistcian General and others.

“For the sake of posterity, the Governor should withdraw (not reduce) the three years extension of service given to the Head of Service, Mr Ayanleye Aina”, the organisation concluded.