We, the officers of NASS Course 11, 2011 intake, of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), wish to petition and lodge a complaint to the president and commander in chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to the National Assembly, in the person of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, regarding the irregularities observed in the assignment of promotion and effective dates of promotion and proper placement as was used in the last two recruitments of the 2021/2023 intake.
It is our understanding that promotion effective dates within the agency are guided by established rules and regulations, including seniority dates of enlistment and eligibility. However, we have observed that our effective date of promotion has been assigned in a manner that does not reflect the principles.
We are particularly concerned that some of our colleagues, who were enlisted in the agency at the same time as us, have been assigned effective promotion dates that are one year and seven months earlier than ours.
It has also been observed that joining the service as a junior cadre, efforts have been put in place to further education by a lot of officers of the agency, and a result was sent to the agency for recognition and proper placement. Up until now, nothing has been done over that.
This issue has arisen during the last two recruitments conducted by the current chairman and chief executive officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa. As of the time of the recruitment offer, it was offered to each cadre, respectively; some others applied as senior cadre, while others applied as junior cadre. At the point of the screening of the junior cadre, they then applied as NASS3– NASS2–NSSS1–NA–SNA –CNA respectively.
And the chairman opened the field for those who apply as junior officers to forward their additional qualifications without considering the officers who are in the service for more than 12-25 years.
According to the agency condition of service chapter 2 section 19 under guidelines for promotion, it was revealed that promotion shall be determined strictly on the basis of competition and merit amongst all eligible candidates, and it shall depend on the existence of a vacancy, and it was further stipulated in section 9(d) that staff are eligible for promotion within the specified minimum period of two years; it also said COMPASS 3-6 have a minimum period of two years for promotion, while COMPASS 7-14 have a minimum period of three years, and COMPASS 15 have a minimum period of four years for promotion.
This discrepancy has adversely affected our seniority, financial entitlements and career progression, and we consider this development to be inconsistent with the principle of fairness, equity and due process expected within the agency.
If such irregularities doesn’t address it will undermine confidence in the promotion system.
The most unfortunate thing, some of the officers of NASS course ll 2011 intake despite they spent 15 years in the service of their fatherland but irregularities hindered their promotion as they are still on 𝐍𝐀, 𝐒𝐍𝐀, 𝐂𝐍𝐀 rank respectively.
