Following the indiscriminate release of confidential documents to the public space by agitated public servants under President Muhammadu Buhari’s dispensation, the Federal Government has warned that it would dismiss anyone found guilty of such disgusting act in the civil service.
This warning came days after the fiasco between the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoS), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, issued the warning in a circular dated May 22, 2020 that was made public yesterday by the spokesperson of HoS, Olawunmi Ogunmosunle.
The circular, HCSF/109/S.1/120, was addressed to the the following top government officials: Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Permanent Secretaries, and Service Chiefs/Inspector-General of Police and ministers.
The HoS complained over the recent “unauthorised disclosure” of official documents of government to social media platforms and said any civil servant who engaged in such acts has breached the provisions of the Public Service Rules nos. 030401 and 030402 and posters of such document risked being dismissed from service. She said in some cases, the official documents were correspondences minuted on.
The HoS said: “This irresponsible and reckless action is an act of serious misconduct with a penalty of dismissal from service, as provided for in Public Service Rules Nos. 030401 and 030402. In some cases, official documents that have been minuted on are also leaked.
“The ugly development is embarrassing to government and, therefore, not acceptable. Any public officer caught engaging in this act of serious misconduct will be severely dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Rules. Permanent secretaries are to draw the attention of all staff to the contents of this circular and the consequences of breaking the rules.”
