The Federal Government has reversed its earlier decision to appoint Mr. Shelmsudeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as Acting Accountant General of the Federation (AGF).
This development was confirmed by Mr. Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press at the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
According to Mokwa, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, who had previously been instructed to proceed on retirement, will now continue in her role until March 2025.
He stated: “The AGF has received a letter from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, instructing her to remain in office.”
When asked about Ogunjimi’s status following this decision, Mokwa said the letter made no mention of his appointment.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, on December 10, appointed Ogunjimi as Acting Accountant General.
The announcement came through a statement issued by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
The statement read: “His (Ogunjimi) appointment is effective immediately, following the pre-retirement leave of the incumbent AGF, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein.”
This sudden move caused confusion at the Office of the Accountant General, leading to questions about the process and Ogunjimi’s qualifications for the role.
Hajiya Naja’atu Mohammed, a Nigerian politician and activist, accused the Presidency and the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, of sidelining more qualified candidates for the role.
She claimed that Ogunjimi’s appointment was irregular and described it as a breach of public service rules.
In her words: “The Presidency, in collaboration with the Minister of Finance, illegally appointed Ogunjimi, a Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Acting Accountant General.”
She further alleged that two Northerners, Danladi Comfort Zakowi and Luka Joshua, were the rightful candidates to step into the acting role if Madein had to vacate her position.
Naja’atu criticised the process, saying Ogunjimi was not even in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) at the time of his appointment.
She explained: “A circular dated 3 September 2024 had already posted him to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No circular has reposted him back to OAGF.”
The activist also claimed that Ogunjimi had already begun operating as Acting AGF, allegedly using security personnel to block Mrs. Madein from accessing her office.
“This confirms insinuations that someone in the Presidency is pushing Ogunjimi to take over the OAGF,” she added.
Her comments have ignited heated debates over transparency and adherence to due process in key government appointments.
Responding to the allegations, Mr. Mokwa dismissed concerns about Ogunjimi’s qualifications.
He stated: “The controversy is unnecessary. Any of the directors is qualified for the position, and it is at the discretion of Mr. President to appoint whomever he prefers.”
At the heart of the controversy is Section 120243 of the Federal Government Public Service Rules.
This section states that officers must give three months’ notice before their retirement date and attend a mandatory one-month pre-retirement seminar.
Sources within the OAGF argue that Madein should have proceeded on retirement leave as of December 7, 2024, making Ogunjimi’s appointment valid.
However, others believe the rule was misapplied, noting that Madein is only due for retirement in March 2025.
