N’Assembly Commission: Court Slates Oct.18 For Judgment

A Federal High court in Abuja has fixed October 19 to deliver judgment on a suit filed by a senior director of the National Assembly Service Commission, Suleiman Mohammed for his alleged retirement by the commission.

The trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta had after listening to the arguments of both parties and subsequent adoption of their written addresses fixed the date to deliver his judgment.

Suleiman through his lawyer, David Mando had stated that he was not properly retired, either by the Commission or by the Head of Civil Service in line with two circulars dated August 26 and October21, 2009, respectively. And by virtue of his absorption into the National assembly Service Commission he ceased to be a staff of the Federal Service Commission.

The plaintiff also told the court that for him to be properly retired, the provisions of Head of Service Circular dated August26, 2009, must be strictly complied with. And that the said circular provides that any officer due for retirement must be notified which the commission failed to do so.
The plaintiff said he has not been served with any letter of retirement by the defendant and as such he cannot be deemed to be properly retired.

The Commission had under cross examination through its witness Festus Ajiboye also stated that the position of Clerk of the House which the plaintiff aspired to be is by appointment and not by seniority and added that the circular was not targeted at him.?