Perhaps a crisis looms in the Nigerian Prisons Service, perhaps not.
A former acting Controller-General of Prisons, Aminu Sule, who is fighting to reverse his sack from the service, may end up starting a leadership crisis in the process.
It is believed that Sule may be possibly recalled into the service, a situation which will most definitely upset the service’s present hierarchy.
Sule’s rank is higher than the most senior officer, Controller-General, Dr Peter Ekpendu and as such, cannot serve under him.
Sule took over the reins of the Pension Service from Ibrahim Zakari in July 2014, but only got to serve in an acting capacity before the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan removed him and appointed Ekpendu as substantive NPS boss.
He would subsequently challenge his dismissal, which has led to the current situation where the federal government may be forced to reinstate him into the service.
Whether he would be reinstated to his former rank of Deputy Controller-General or made Controller-General, is where the problem lies.
A source quoted by Punch, said: “Aminu Sule’s return would surely generate ripples in the prisons service because he cannot serve under the current CG, who is his junior. At the same time, you cannot ask Ekpendu to step aside for him.
“The moves to bring him back may precipitate a leadership crisis in the service because if Ekpendu is removed to pave the way for his appointment as CG, he might engage in vendetta against other senior officers who are also interested in the top job.”
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