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OHCSF Opens Process for Appointment of Five Permanent Secretaries
Joel Ajayi
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has commenced the appointment process for five new Permanent Secretaries, following the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
In a statement signed on Monday in Abuja by the Director, Information and Public Relations Mrs. Eno Olotu reveals that the process seeks to fill five vacant positions: two arising from the recent retirement of Permanent Secretaries from Imo State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and three newly created rotational zonal vacancies due to the establishment of additional Ministries. These zonal vacancies cover the North-Central, North-East, and South-East geopolitical zones.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, emphasised that the process has been carefully structured to ensure transparency, credibility, and merit, in line with the Administration’s commitment to good governance. Only qualified and competent officers are being considered.
The exercise commenced with the call for applications from eligible officers on Grade Level 17 in the mainstream Federal Civil Service, who had spent at least two (2) years on the grade. Their respective Permanent Secretaries cleared them as not being under any disciplinary action before forwarding their names.
Thereafter, the OHCSF compiled the list of eligible officers, who were subjected to a verification and screening exercise conducted by a Committee of Permanent Secretaries, with monitoring by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS). Candidates also completed asset declaration forms with the Code of Conduct Bureau, while anti-corruption clearances from the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS are ongoing.
The initial screening exercise has been successfully concluded, and the selection process is now advancing to the next phase—the written examination—which is scheduled to commence on Monday, 15th September 2025. Candidates will sit for the examination at a secure Federal Government facility. The setting and marking of the examination will be supervised by a panel comprising serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, with oversight provided by observers from a civil society organisation, the organised private sector, and other relevant stakeholders.
Candidates who are successful in the written examination will proceed to the ICT proficiency assessment, which will take place on Wednesday, 17th September 2025.
The final phase of the process—a comprehensive oral interview—is scheduled for Friday, 19th September 2025. This will be conducted by a distinguished panel consisting of the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, former Heads of the Civil Service of the Federation, and representatives from the private sector and a professional body. The Anti – Corruption Agencies will also observe this stage to ensure integrity and transparency.
The final recommendations based on overall performance and merit, will be submitted to the President for his consideration and approval.
Mrs. Walson-Jack reiterated that the exercise reflects the Federal Government’s firm commitment to strengthening institutional capacity, promoting professionalism, and ensuring a transparent and merit-based public service leadership. This initiative underscores the Administration’s dedication to improving service delivery and driving national development.
News
Amb Lion Ogorry Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Sahara Reporters, Sowore For Misleading and Malicious Publication Endangering National Security
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, a renowned public advocacy practitioner and activist, today announced the filing of a high-profile lawsuit against Sahara Reporters Ltd. and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The suit, numbered FCT/HC/CV/4767/2025, accuses the defendants of publishing a false, malicious, and reckless article that violates Nigeria’s Constitution, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, and other laws protecting public discourse, national security, and public order.
The originating summons, filed on November 24, 2025, stems from a Sahara Reporters article titled
“EXCLUSIVE: How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC—Former Aide,” published on November 19, 2025.
Ambassador Ogorry alleges that the publication contains grave, unfounded accusations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, claiming he maintains illicit contacts with bandit leaders, orders communities to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and engages in activities that undermine counter-terrorism efforts.
These claims, according to the suit, are not only false but also fabricated to incite alarm, hatred, and ill-will, while endangering national security and public safety.
In his affidavit supporting the summons, Ambassador Ogorry, a Nigerian citizen and resident of Abuja with a long-standing commitment to public order and lawful civic discourse, emphasized that the article was disseminated widely across Sahara Reporters’ website, social media channels, X.com (Twitter) account, Facebook pages, WhatsApp broadcasts, and other platforms. He described the publication as a blatant violation of Section 39(3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits speech that endangers public safety, national security, and public order. Furthermore, it contravenes Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by disseminating false, misleading, and harmful information capable of causing alarm or ill-will.
“The defendants’ reckless actions have not only tarnished the reputation of a dedicated public servant but have also compromised ongoing military operations against banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West region,” said Ambassador Ogorry. “This publication promotes distrust, exposes the Minister to risks, and undermines the morale of our armed forces engaged in counter-terrorism. It is a direct assault on our national security and the freedom of expression that must be balanced with responsibility.”
The lawsuit seeks the following reliefs from the court:
– A declaration that the publication is false, misleading, malicious, and not protected speech under Section 39(1) of the Constitution (as amended).
– A declaration that it falls within restricted speech under Section 39(3)(a), endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
– A declaration that it violates Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by prohibiting false, harmful, or misleading information.
– AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants, their agents, or privies from further publishing, distributing, circulating, or causing to be circulated the said false publication or any other malicious publication especially as it relates to and against the person of Defence Minister, Dr. Matawalle.
– An order directing the defendants to issue a public retraction of the publication and publish a full apology on their website and social media channels for 14 consecutive days.
– General and exemplary damages of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) for the frivolous, false, and malicious publication geared toward endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
Ambassador Ogorry highlighted that the article, based on unverified claims from an alleged “former senior aide,” lacks any official record or evidence, demonstrating the defendants’ disregard for truth and ethical journalism. He urged the court to address this as a matter of urgent national importance, citing precedents such as President F.R.N. v. ISA (2017) and Guardian Newspapers v. AIEH (2011), which affirm that freedom of expression does not protect reckless publications that threaten security.
“This lawsuit is not just about correcting a falsehood; it’s about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, protecting public officials from baseless attacks, and ensuring media accountability,” Ambassador Ogorry added. “Sahara Reporters and Omoyele Sowore must be held responsible for their role in spreading dangerous misinformation that could fuel terrorism and disrupt public order.”
The case is set for hearing in the Abuja Judicial Division, and Ambassador Ogorry expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice and constitutional principles.
About Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry is a public advocacy practitioner, activist, and Nigerian citizen dedicated to promoting national security, public order, and lawful civic discourse. With a focus on protecting public discourse from malicious interference, he advocates for responsible journalism and governance.
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