By Ocheh Friday
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise, Hon. Leke Joseph Abejide, has dismissed reports suggesting that the expected appointment of Deputy Comptroller I.D. Olorunfemi as the next Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) would lead to the forced retirement of senior officers.
Abejide described the claims as misleading, stressing that retirements within the Customs Service are guided strictly by existing Public Service Rules and not by the appointment of any individual.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Lokoja, the Kogi lawmaker, who represents Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency, said a recent online publication had falsely portrayed the succession process and created unnecessary anxiety among officers of the service.
According to him, the rules governing the civil service are clear: officers retire after 35 years of service or upon attaining the age of 60.
“The Civil Service Rules are very clear. Retirement after 35 years in service or at the age of 60 is a legal requirement. It is not a decision taken to favour or disadvantage anyone,” Abejide said.
He explained that the Nigeria Customs Service is currently experiencing a wave of retirements due to a long-standing recruitment gap that lasted about 16 years, creating an unusual personnel structure within the organisation.
Abejide noted that because recruitment and promotions were largely stagnant during that period, many officers who joined the service around the same time have progressed through the ranks together and are now reaching retirement age almost simultaneously.
“There was a 16-year period without recruitment, which created a significant gap in the service. Officers within the 41000, 42000 and 43000 service number categories advanced through the ranks at nearly the same pace and now occupy similar levels of seniority.
“This has resulted in a situation where a large number of senior officers are due for retirement around the same period, while the lower ranks have fewer personnel. By September, about 95 per cent of officers in those categories would have exited the service in line with statutory provisions,” he explained.
The lawmaker also rejected allegations that he had family or personal ties with Olorunfemi, insisting that the claims were entirely false.
“I have no relationship whatsoever with the officer reportedly appointed by the President to succeed the current Comptroller-General. In fact, I only got to know him this year. I do not know his parents, and he has never had any close personal relationship with me,” Abejide stated.
He maintained that the leadership transition process in the Customs Service was being handled within the framework of the law and in a manner that would ensure continuity and stability within the organisation.
Summing up his position, Abejide said there was no basis for claims of forced retirements or the sidelining of senior officers, adding that the retirement of more than 1,500 officers from the affected service number categories was a consequence of statutory provisions and not a result of any planned appointment.
He also noted that there has been no official announcement yet regarding Olorunfemi’s appointment, urging the public to disregard unfounded reports and speculation surrounding the succession process.
