The acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Isah Idris, on Wednesday, was served a retirement notice effective on or before April 24, 2023, by the Governing Board of the Service.
The board in a secret memo said the one-year extension of service granted to him by President Muhammadu Buhari has expired and therefore, directed the CGI to hand over to the most senior Deputy Comptroller General.
The memo, dated April 17, 2023, with code number CDCFIB/APPT.CG&DCG/61/VOL.IV/74, was signed by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board Secretary, Obasi Edmond, on the orders of the Board chairman and Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola.
It is titled “Notification of expiration of one-year extension in office as acting Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service.”
It read, “I write to draw your attention to the end of one-year extension in office granted to you by Mr President via letter no. SH/COS/42/3/3/A128 date April 22, 2022, and which would be expiring on April 24, 2023.
“Consequently, you are directed to hand over to the most senior Deputy Comptroller-General on or before Monday, April 24, 2023, pending Mr President’s appointment of a substantive Comptroller-General of the Service.
“The board is grateful to you for your immense contributions to the Nigeria Immigration Service and to the country and wishes you success in your future endeavours.“
LagosPost earlier reported that the Concerned Nigeria Immigration Stakeholders urged the President not to extend Idris’ tenure.
The stakeholders in an open letter signed by its spokesperson, Akinwale Dennis, warned that such a move could spark internal disputes that may snowball into full-blown protests by the service’s personnel.
Idris assumed duty as acting head of the service in September 2021 after the retirement of the former CGI, Muhammed Babandede.
The acting CGI was due for retirement when he turned 60 on April 24, 2022, under the civil service rules, until Buhari extended his tenure by one year.
Alleluia is the Assistant Editor and Content Writer at LagosPost.ng. She is a prolific writer and editor, she has written features and news stories on Lifestyle, Sports, Business, Politics and B2B marketing. She is also an event coordinator, host and social media content creator.
