PRESS RELEASE (582 Officers and Men Sues the Nigeria Immigration Service Over Unlawful Dismissal and Human Right Violation)
August 16, 2017 Abuja, Nigeria – Impunity and Depravity in the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Exactly one year of uncertainty about the fate of 2000 officers and men of the Nigeria Immigration Service recruited in 2015 popularly known as “NIS2000”, the President gave an order that the 2000 officers be recalled. To that effect, on August 11, 2016 the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Service Board (CDFIPB) of the Ministry of Interior, charged with this responsibility had an emergency meeting, and then initiated a new approach to our reinstatement called “rescreening”. A publication was made to that effect where there was a time table for rescreening. The rescreening was scheduled from 29th August 2016 to 5th September 2016.
At the rescreening, we were assured that it was just to verify the results we used in getting the job, and as far as we are not above the age limit for each cadre, we had nothing to worry about. The screening criteria were verification of results, medical fitness, drug test and the CDFIPB implementation of the “Age on Rank”. It had in attendance 1,470 Officers and men according to statistics. Surprisingly, the practical screening covered results verification, physical check and blood pressure check. At the end of the exercise, our expectation was positive, based on the assurance we got from the CGI.
In October 2016, there was a Newspaper publication bearing the names of “Successful Applicants”. Out of the 1,470 Officers who availed themselves to be rescreened, 888 Officers were selected leaving out 582 Officers. The publication had a lot of irregularities such as a deceased officer making the list, repetition of names, and absentees making the list, amongst others. We reacted to the errors on the list, and in the course of correcting those errors, more errors were made which included removal of names of a few more that initially was termed successful, on the first list.
We probed further to know why such a large number of officers were dropped, and we never got answers except for some hearsays that we had forged certificates, medical history, etc. We challenged via social media that there should be a publication showing the names of those who had forged certificate and stating exactly the model used in grading the rescreening exercise. Here we are, ten months after with the same uncertainty. We have so many unanswered questions lingering on our minds: where did we go wrong? How come a deceased and some absentees made the list? Why hasn’t NIS told us the original reason for being disqualified? These amongst others are the question on our minds.
But, following the press briefing by the CGI Mohammad Babandede on our reinstatement, he said all officers and men who made appearance for rescreening and meets the set criteria will be reinstated, of which many of the 582 Officers and Men qualified; should be rest assured of reinstatement. On a private finding from an officer in the appointment and promotion unit, he said, other undisclosed criteria were introduced to reduce the number of officers due to budget. Only to see an advertisement of vacancy in the Nigeria Immigration Service on May 22, 2017.
It’s the height of impunity in government that the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service will go against orders from the President to reinstate the 2000 officers and Men recruited in 2015, and will want to recruit new officers in their stead.
Whether or not the recruitment in 2015 was irregular, is no longer the issue. Due process for recruitment according to the Civil Service code was followed to the latter. We had worked officially for three months from assumption of duty on May 25, 2015 to an unlawful disperse on August 20, 2015 by a nationwide memo.
They said there were irregularities. But we were recruited like every other Officer and Men of the service. We reported at every order, on our own expense, firstly to various Immigration Training School at Kano State, Rivers State, and Imo State to collect our appointment letters and posting orders, and secondly, to our various Commands, and then to the Immigration Headquarters for rescreening and others. All these were obeyed without pay…and then to be dispersed with irregularities in the rescreening process, after months of waiting?
A recall from CGI Martin Abeshi’s in his response said that the original reason for the dispersal was that the salaries of the 2000 Officers and Men recruited in 2015 were not included in the 2015 Budget allocation. His claim was not in the irregularities of our recruitment, but the unavailability of funds.
On January 16, 2017 we filed a petition to the Secretary General of the Federation regarding our situation of injustice, only to receive a no-response from the Secretary General of the Federation. Prior to filing the petition, countless times have we visited the NIS headquarters for reasons, and a review of the “rescreening”. We are yet to receive any response from them.
Since the Legislative and Executive order have been unreliable, judicial steps have been taken through The National Industrial Court in Abuja on August 1, 2017 suing The Nigerian Immigration Service for the following :

PRINCIPAL RELIEFS:
a. A declaration that the defendants action of 25th August 2015 dispersing the claimants from their various duty post stations and places of employment was unconscionable unjustifiable and unwarranted interruption of claimants legitimate employment and did not amount to lawful termination of employment thereof.
b. A declaration that the claimants said employment (severally and jointly) with defendant are still valid and subsisting same having not been justifiably and lawfully terminated.
c. An order of Court immediately reinstating the claimants (severally and jointly) to their employment with defendant with the compliments of full entitlements of arrears of salary, promotion, increment, progression and all other emoluments as may be due or have accrued to them from date of employment (24th May, 2015) up to the eventual date of resumption of duties and beyond.
c. Substantial legal cost including cost of action at the sum of N3Million.

IN THE ALTERNATIVE :
a. A declaration that the defendants action of 25th August, 2015 dispersing claimants from their employment duty posts stations offices tantamount to an unconscionable unjustifiable and unlawful interruption and subsequent frustration of claimants legitimate employment with defendant.
b. An order of Court for the immediate payment of claimants 3 months unpaid salary arrears (for the months of May- August 2015 worked for and unpaid).
c. An order of Court for the immediate payment of the equivalent of one months salary in lieu of notice to terminate employment.
d. An award of 10% interest per annum on salary arrears and 1 month salary in-lieu of notice with effect 1st September 2015 until final judgment.
e. A written letter of apology to each claimant for the maltreatment, pain, suffering, frustration and hardship caused by defendant’s unconscionable and unlawful conduct.
f. An award of the sum of N2Million to each claimant in aggravated damages.
g. An award of the sum of N3Million to each claimant in exemplary damages.
h. The sum of N3Million in legal cost expenses and fees.
i. An award of 10% interest per annum on judgement sum until final execution of liquidation of judgement sum.
And we trust the system to do justice and uphold the Legislative and Presidential Order of our reinstatement.

We are choice Nigerians. The future of this country depends on our ability to sustain justice and equity. We will not watch our place taken. It’s an aberration to politicise the lives and dignity of the Nigerian citizens. We are not going to give up until justice is served. And we believe in this government for equity.

Signed.
ASI Galadima Samson
ASI Cornelius Okafor
AII Charles Okata
IA3 Faith Azizi
IA3 Musa Haruna

@ejiykzazi2007 Its unfortunately that people like you only defend what they have interest in even when the truth is steering you in the face. If you say the NIS 2015 recruitment is done in a hurry it means you are either been bias or dont even know what happened far back then. How long did the rescent EFCC recruitment last? What about the DSS recruitment? Or is it the on going Navy recruitment? Or the ones going on FIRS and CBN? If you dont know what to say why dont you just keep your cool. Since the case is in Court let the court decide their fate.