A group known as National Pension Commission (PENCOM) recruits, has petitioned the Presidency over what it described as attempt by the Acting Director-General of the Commission, Mrs. Aisha Dahir-Umar, to shortchange successfully recruited candidates with her proxies.
Members of the group, who are successful candidates at the last recruitment exercise by the immediate past management of PENCOM, filed a copy of the petition with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and another with the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.
A copy of the petition obtained by our reporter was signed by Mr. Mustapha Sadiq and Mr. Ismail Gazali on behalf of the group and was filed at the Presidential villa on the 1st June, 2018.
It was gathered that, PENCOM conducted a recruitment exercise to fill some vacant positions in the commission in December 2016 and January 2017 and appointment letters were handed to successful candidates.
“Following the completion of an aptitude test and interview conducted in December 2016/January 2017, we were issued with Letters of Employment by PENCOM, after which we signed and submitted acceptance letters with the Commission accordingly.
“As stated in our appointment letters, we were to assume duty on May 2nd and June 5th, 2017, respectively. However, prior to our date of resumption, we were informed via telephone calls of indefinite postponement of our assumption of duty, a dilemma we have remained in till date, despite the fact that majority of us had resigned from our previous places of employment”, the petitioners submitted.
The petitioners called for the intervention of the Presidency and members of the public, saying, “life has been very unbearable” since they resigned their services elsewhere immediately they got appointment letters from PENCOM.
Our investigation has revealed that, the Office of the SGF, in a reply with reference number 56331/S.3/C2/I/T/99, said that “a response from the Commission stated that the decision was based on the need to allow for a review of the earlier recruitment exercise(s) to: ensure compliance with Extant Laws and due process; recruitment within approved manpower establishment; and provide required infrastructure to accommodate new appointees”.
However, insider sources at PENCOM have faulted that claim, alleging that the Acting DG was deliberately misleading the Office of the SGF.
The sources said the new recruits were employed based on the manpower needs of the Commission as approved by the Executive Board and articulated in its approved annual budget.
A source said that the employment by the PENCOM Board followed due process in line with their powers under Section 25 (2) (a) of the Pension Reform Act (2014) relating to appointment and promotion of the staff of the Commission.
The PENCOM source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said: “The Acting DG is only trying to deceive or misguide the SGF, an honourable man. Everything about that appointment was worked out according to law, regulation and corporate needs of the Commission. Like the two previous appointments, this one too was approved by the Board and the Federal Character Commission as required by law.
“The candidates wrote a highly competitive aptitude test in December, successful ones were interviewed in January, and those who did well were offered appointment about March and asked to resume from May 2017.
“The truth is that, the Acting DG is trying to use the same approval earlier given by the former EXCO and the Federal Character Commission to recruit fresh people to replace those already given appointment letters after passing through all due processes.
“The Commission is only trying to open an unnecessary floodgate of litigation”.
Checks with sources at PENCOM indicate that, the agency, since the general dissolution of Boards over a year ago, has not had any Board in place to regulate the activities of theActing DG.
An anonymous source at the Commission confirmed that, the Acting DG has no powers to rescind or block decisions already approved and concluded by the Executive Committee and Board of the agency.
“Equally, the employment of the aggrieved persons was also clearly and legally done in line with Section 28 (1) of PRA (2014), which states that the Board may from time to time appoint such other categories of employees as may appear to it expedient and necessary for the proper and efficient performance of its functions.
“So, if anyone is doing anything illegal here, it is the Acting DG, Aisha Dahir-Umar, who is trying to circumvent the valid decision and concluded employment process of the then PENCOM Board.
“This is why it is wrong to allow an agency that controls about N8 trillion to run without an Executive Committee and Governing Board for more than a year”, the source maintained.
All efforts to get the management of PENCOM to react to this, proved abortive, as the Acting DG was said not to be on seat as at the time of call.
Mr. Peter Aghahowa, the officer in charge of Corporate Communications and Media Unit of the Commission could not provide any official response, when contacted severally on phone.