FG Suspends Perm Sec over ‘Recall’ of Envoys

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the suspension of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Danjuma Sheni.
This was contained in a letter dated April 28, 2015 and signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi.
The letter sighted by our correspondent was not officially released to the press.
According to the letter, the suspension was with immediate effect.
The letter said Sheni’s suspension was connected to his invitation to the Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to South Africa and the Consul General of Nigeria in Pretoria to visit the Ministry for consultation in the aftermath of the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Kifasi in the letter said the invitation from Sheni was without authorisation, and further directed Ambassador Bulus Lolo to take over from Ambassador Danjuma Sheni, while he is directed to stay away from duty until further notice.
“The President has directed your immediate suspension from duty as a result of your invitation to the Ag. High Commissioner of Nigeria to South Africa and the Consul General of Nigeria in Pretoria to visit headquarters for consultation in the aftermath of the xenophobic attacks in South Africa without authorisation”, the letter read in part.
The letter further stated that, “Your action has brought great embarrassment to the country and impacted negativity on the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and South Africa. You are to hand over your duties to Amb. Bulus Lolo and stay away from duty until further notice.”