By Abiola Olawale
The situation involving the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) has led to confusion.
This comes after the incumbent AGF, Dr Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, purportedly redeployed her successor, Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
It would be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently appointed Ogunjimi as the Acting Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) effective immediately following the pre-retirement leave of the incumbent, Madein, on December 10, 2024.
The President had explained that the appointment was part of ensuring a seamless transition in Nigeria’s treasury management.
However, controversy arose when Madein, before proceeding on her pre-retirement leave, purportedly redeployed Ogunjimi to another position, in sharp contrast with the president’s appointment.
The action was said to have led to confusion within the office of the AGF as staff were unsure about the validity of Ogunjimi’s appointment vis-a-vis Madein’s redeployment order.
It was also gathered that there are some debates within the office of the AGF that the appointment of Ogunjimi seems premature since Madein’s tenure had not officially ended.
The purported redeployment was said to be contained in a circular dated December 18 circular.
In the circular which she signed, Madein said: “I hereby approve the posting of the following Directorate Level Treasury Officers with immediate effect towards enhancing effective service delivery.
“I want to further reiterate that all officers are to note that failure to comply with this posting instruction shall be treated in accordance with the provision of the Public Service Rules (PSR) 020602 (iv).
“Accordingly, affected officers are advised to submit assumption of duty certificates to the office of the undersigned on or before Tuesday, 24th December 2024.”
In the circular, Ogunjimi was moved from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (Funds) to the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) Accounts.
Some others redeployed were Abalaka James N (OAGF Funds), Dagin Seldam (OAGF STF), Ekwem Virginus E (OAGF IPPIS), Luka Joshua Kadmi (Ministry of Foreign Affairs Accounts).
The development also comes after reports emerged on Friday suggesting that the federal government, through the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, had asked Madein, who was earlier directed to proceed on retirement, to continue as the AGF till March 2025.
Confirming the development, the Director of Press at the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr Bawa Mokwa, who spoke with the press, said the AGF received a letter from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation asking Madein to continue her role till March 2025.
