As part of the effort to probe the controversial extension of the Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Mrs Jemila Shu’ara, the House of Representatives on Basic Education has ordered the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, to provide service file of the Perm Sec.

The Head of Service is also expected to provide other relevant documents that will further clarify issues relating to the extension of service of the Permanent Secretary to the committee on or before Tuesday, 28th March 2017.

From the committee’s proceedings, Dr Mrs Shu’ara was said to have retired after the expiration of her civil service career on the 17th February 2016, but was granted one year extension of service after attaining 60 years as stipulated by the Civil Service Rule.

The permanent secretary was also given another one year extension via a letter with Ref. No: SH/COS/100/A/1541 signed by Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Abba Kyari.

The letter addressed to the Head of Service of the Federation, acknowledged the receipt of HOS’ letter Ref. No. HCSF/1013/1 dated 17th March, 2016, read:

“You are to note that in line with the provisions of 171(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, Mr. President has approved the extension of the appointment of Dr (Mrs) Jamila Shu’ara by one year in a special dispensation, which should not be cited as policy.”

Addressing the committee chaired by Hon. Zakari Mohammed on the subject matter, the Head of Service said that, the extension of service of Dr Mrs Shuara was granted by Mr President because she possesses “special skill”.

The Head of Service while explaining to the committee said that, “like I explained at previous sittings, although, the public service have guidelines as to the promotion of officers, but when it comes to removal or appointment of officers, Mr. President has the constitutional powers to appoint officers as it is in the case of Dr Jamila Shu’ara.”

Responding to the committee’s enquiry on whether she advise the President properly on the extension, she said that the extension was in line with section 171(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Mrs Oyo-Ita however maintained that “any advice I give to my boss, I don’t think that advice can come to the public domain, it’s purely for Mr. President’s personal consumption.”

She also informed the committee that, the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu must have made a special request for the extension granted to Shu’ara.

Addressing the Committee, Dr Mrs Shu’ara explained that the extension was granted after notifying the appropriate authority of her retirement.

She said that after sending the notice of her retirement to the Head of Civil Service, she handed over to the most Senior Director in the Ministry.

According to her, “I sent a letter notifying the Head of Service of my retirement and knowing that the response will not come immediately, I handed over to the most senior director and left.

“I was at home when I was later called and informed that I should come back to Abuja to resume work as the President had extended my stay in the service,” she informed the committee.