Dr. Christopher Vershima Ashiekaa, the Director of Senate Table Duties at the National Assembly, is locking horns with the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) over what he claims is an unjust attempt to retire him prematurely.
The contentious issue, currently before Justice Osatohanmwen Ayodele Obaseki Osaghae at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, hinges on the interpretation of Rule 020909 from the 2021 Public Service Rules.
At the heart of the suit, marked NICN/ABJ/455/2024, is Ashiekaa’s assertion that his notional appointment as Director in 2017 should not count towards his tenure since he neither served in the role nor benefited financially at that time.
His counsel, Daniel Penda, is drawing on precedents like the 2013 case of Ambassador DCB Nwanna vs. National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to bolster his argument.
Representing the NASC (1st Defendant) and the National Assembly Management (2nd Defendant) are legal heavyweights Abdul Ibrahim (SAN), Aisha Abdulsalam, and Charles Yoila. During the first hearing, the NASC’s legal team sought a seven-day extension to prepare their defense, citing a late briefing.
Justice Obaseki, in response, adjourned the case to 17th of February, 2025.
Ashiekaa, who joined the National Assembly in 1992, contends that his statutory retirement should align with either his November 2027 service anniversary or his 60th birthday in 2028.
Moreover, he claims his effective tenure as Director only began on January 1, 2018, when he started receiving financial benefits, which, under Rule 020909, would extend his retirement to January 2026.
He further argues that the rule’s applicability could be nullified if he is elevated to a consolidated grade before then.
This legal tussle raises critical questions about the interpretation and fairness of public service rules, with Ashiekaa standing firm against what he perceives as an unjust termination of his career.