How Parradang was Consumed by Politics of Employment
Suspended Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), David Parradang
Thousands of new recruits risk losing their jobs
Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

Findings have revealed that the recently suspended Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), David Parradang, was a victim of high wired politics between the last and current administration.
Thousands of new recruits risk losing their jobs
Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

Findings have revealed that the recently suspended Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), David Parradang, was a victim of high wired politics between the last and current administration.
This is coming as letters obtained by THISDAY yesterday indicated that Parradang was sacked despite complying with the directive to discontinue with the training of the newly recruited officers.
Sources within the NIS claimed that the need for the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to have its input into the planned recruitment as part of the larger employment drive of the government informed the cancellation of the already concluded exercise.
THISDAY investigation also revealed that Parradang was sacrificed for the mistakes of former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, who conducted the March 15, 2014, tragic recruitment aptitude test, which forced President Goodluck Jonathan to sanction a non-statutory presidential committee to correct the anomalies by conducting a new exercise.
The source said following the exercise, the last administration of President Jonathan had already concluded the recruitment exercise towards the end of his tenure in May, “which was the procedures and due processes adopted to avoid a repeat of the tragic recruitment exercise.
“If you recall, President Jonathan set up a presidential committee to assist in the NIS recruitment, which followed all the due processes and laid down procedures. Even though the main exercise was rushed to its conclusion before the end of the last administration, some processes were still ongoing such as training before the new administration took over.
“Maybe President Buhari wants to conduct a fresh exercise because of the controversy surrounding the previous ones but what would happen to thousands of Nigerians who have already met the criteria and have been employed according to the civil service laws?”
One of the letters obtained by THISDAY on those granted provincial appointment, which was signed by the secretary to Presidential Committee to Assist in Immigration Recruitment partly read: “This letter is in response to your application and participation in the Computer-Based Aptitude Test and Physical Examination, Document Verification and Oral interview for the position of category A Superintendent Cadre-Assistant Superintendent II (ASS II)-CONPASS 08 in the Nigerian Immigration Service.
“Based on the total scores, from the Aptitude Test and Physical Examination, Document Verification and Oral interview, within your states of origin and total score, we are pleased to inform you that you have been shortlisted for provincial appointment into the NIS.
“You are to come and obtain your appointment letter and undergo preliminary documentation as scheduled on May 25, 2015, at the Nigerian Immigration School Kano.”
Another letter posting and redeploying the successful applicants to various NIS departments and signed by the Comptroller of Immigration Service (APU), Mr. Oyedeji TV, on behalf of the CGI read: “I am directed to inform you that the above named newly recruited personnel has been posted to your command for attachment and induction with immediate effect, pending when they will be sent for training.
“The letter of appointment will be sent in due course. Please acknowledge receipt and date which the newly recruited staff reported to duty.”
However, the fate of these newly recruits still hangs in the balance as Parradang was suspended through a letter dated August 21 , 2015, and signed by the Director of Press, Ministry of Interior, Yusuf Ishiaka, on behalf of the permanent secretary of the ministry.
According to the letter, the most senior officer of the NIS, Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration (DCGI), Martin Kure Abeshi, has been directed to take over the affairs of the office.
In the same vein, another statement also dated August 21, 2015, and signed by the Director/Secretary, Civil Defence, Fire Service, Immigration and Prisons Services Board (CDFIPB), Mr. A.A. Ibrahim, specifically gave official explanations on why the immigration boss was suspended.
Ibrahim, in the statement, accused the suspended CGI of ignoring directives to suspend the recruitment exercise.
According to the board, Parradang issued letters of appointment of 700 Assistant Inspectors of Immigration and 900 Immigration Assistants lll into the NIS without approval.
The embattled NIS boss was also accused of refusing to take necessary measures to correct the alleged wrongdoing, despite repeated advice given to him by the ministry, which was said to have been conveyed to him through several letters with reference No FMI/PSO/OOl/lll/402 of June 11, 2015, and FMI/PSO/OOl/lll/411 of June 14, 2015.
The statement said: “Having considered the above-mentioned acts committed by you to mean deliberate violation of the extant laws, insubordination to constituted authority and improper behaviour inimical to the service that is unbecoming of a public officer, l am to inform you that you have been suspended from office with immediate effect. While you await further instruction, you are to hand over the affairs of your office to the most senior officer in the Nigeria Immigration Service. Please accept the well wishes of the permanent secretary.”
However, the letter obtained by THISDAY showed that the NIS boss did comply with the directive to discontinue with exercise prior to his suspension.
According to the circular signed by DCGI Malgwi for Parradang on August 20 to all state Comptrollers with the titled: ‘Re: Staff Recruitment Into the Nigerian Immigration Service’, “I am directed to refer to the above subject matter and to invite you to disperse forthwith, all the candidates who were issued appointment letters following the conclusion of the recent recruitment exercise conducted by the ‘Presidential Committee to Assist in Immigration Recruitment’.
According to the circular signed by DCGI Malgwi for Parradang on August 20 to all state Comptrollers with the titled: ‘Re: Staff Recruitment Into the Nigerian Immigration Service’, “I am directed to refer to the above subject matter and to invite you to disperse forthwith, all the candidates who were issued appointment letters following the conclusion of the recent recruitment exercise conducted by the ‘Presidential Committee to Assist in Immigration Recruitment’.
“You are required to ensure that this interim arrangement pending further directives does not result in any breach of public peace in your command. This is for your immediate compliance, please.”
Part of the arrangement to correct the failed immigration exercise was a directive by former President Jonathan to give three slots each to the family members of 15 people who died during the March 2014 tragic recruitment aptitude test.
“You must understand the background to the entire saga: after the regrettable and avoidable recruitment exercise of March 15, 2014 which witnessed resulted in the death of 15 Nigerians in the country, the then president set up a presidential committee headed by the chairman of the Civil Service Commission with all the heads of the paramilitary agencies as members including the CGI.
“That committee was to assist the CDFIPB see to the compensation of the families of the bereaved who President Jonathan promised automatic employment for three family members one of which must be a female. The committee was to also identify the injured and offer them appointments,” a source who is privy to the whole saga reminded.
According the source, the committee were also to carry out a more credible employment interview without charge as opposed to the one sanctioned by Moro to the tune of N1, 000 from each applicant. It took the committee a full year to conclude its work.
It reminded that: “The then president was presented with authentic next of kin of the deceased who all got a golden handshake of N5million each and the promised automatic employment.
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