Follow Us on Google
From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
A coalition of civil society organisations have called on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to suspend the reported appointment of Mr. Olaoluwa Onifade as Director of Procurement until disciplinary proceedings against him are concluded.
The Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG), at a press conference in Abuja, said appointing an officer to such a sensitive position while a disciplinary case allegedly involving discrepancies in his date of birth remains unresolved could undermine public confidence in the NYSC and raise questions about transparency and due process.
Addressing journalists, president of the coalition, Ogakwu Dominic, said the group’s intervention was not intended to pronounce Onifade guilty, but to ensure that established public service procedures were followed before any appointment was made.
“Our intervention today is not intended to pronounce Mr. Olaoluwa Joshua Onifade guilty of any misconduct. Rather, it is a call for due process and institutional integrity,” he said.
The coalition alleged that a disciplinary committee chaired by a former Director of Ventures, Prince Momoh, had investigated several disciplinary matters, including the case involving Onifade and submitted its report with recommendations.
According to the group, the report has yet to be presented before the appropriate disciplinary authority for consideration, resulting in delays in concluding the disciplinary process.
It argued that the prolonged delay raises concerns over administrative efficiency, institutional accountability and adherence to established disciplinary procedures.
Other News
The group expressed particular concern over reports that Onifade may be appointed Director of Procurement before the disciplinary process is concluded.
It noted that the office oversees procurement, involving substantial public funds and therefore, demands the highest standards of integrity, transparency and compliance with the Public Procurement Act and Public Service Rules.
The coalition also alleged discrepancies in his official records, claiming that a Green Card generated from the NYSC portal reportedly lists his date of birth as 1968, while extracts from the nominal roll reportedly indicate 1972. It urged the NYSC management to retrieve and examine his complete personal records to independently verify the claims through a transparent and lawful process.
Among its demands, the coalition called on the NYSC to immediately convene the appropriate Senior Staff Committee to determine all pending disciplinary matters, conclude the cases in line with the Public Service Rules, suspend any appointment or promotion involving officers with unresolved disciplinary issues, and carry out an independent verification of the alleged discrepancies.
The group also urged oversight agencies, including the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Bureau of Public Procurement, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Code of Conduct Bureau, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, as well as the Senate and House committees on youth development, to monitor the matter and ensure due process is observed.
CSGGG maintained that allowing disciplinary procedures to run their full course before appointments are made into strategic offices would strengthen public confidence in the NYSC and reinforce accountability within the public service.
The coalition stressed that its position should not be interpreted as a declaration of wrongdoing against Onifade but as a call for transparency, fairness and strict compliance with established procedures.
