The appointment of Shamsudeen Ogunjimi as the Acting Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) has stirred significant controversy, with allegations of illegalities and regional bias emerging against the Presidency and the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun. The move has raised questions over the sidelining of senior officials from the northern region, who were reportedly next in line for the position.
Sources revealed that Ogunjimi, a Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was appointed despite a circular dated September 3, 2024, officially posting him out of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF). No document has been issued to repost him back to the OAGF, casting doubt on the legality of his appointment.
Under civil service rules, Danladi Comfort Zakowi, Director of Finance, or Luka Joshua, Director of the Consolidated Accounts Department, were next in line to assume the acting role if Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, the substantive AGF, were to vacate office. Both officials were reportedly bypassed without explanation.
Mrs. Madein, who is not due for retirement until March 2025, has also alleged harassment. Ogunjimi, with the backing of armed policemen, has reportedly barred her from accessing her office, sparking concerns about undue influence from high-ranking officials in the Presidency.
Observers have pointed to Ogunjimi’s lack of seniority and legal documentation to support his reinstatement to the OAGF, fueling accusations of favoritism and political interference. Critics argue that the move undermines established civil service procedures and reflects a disregard for transparency and fairness.
“This appointment does not just violate due process; it is a clear affront to civil service rules. The sidelining of qualified individuals like Zakowi and Joshua is unacceptable,” a senior civil servant, who preferred anonymity, remarked.
The development has sparked outrage among civil servants, particularly in the northern region, who view the appointment as both illegal and regionally biased. Many are now calling for an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mrs. Madein’s premature removal and Ogunjimi’s appointment.
Efforts to reach the Presidency and the Minister of Finance for comments have so far been unsuccessful. As the controversy deepens, public confidence in the integrity of the OAGF and the Ministry of Finance continues to erode.
