FG Threatens To Dismiss Civil Servants Leaking Official Documents On Social Media

The Federal Government has again raised the alarm over what it
described as incessant unauthorised disclosure of official
documents on social media and other platforms.

It has therefore threatened to henceforth dismiss officials
caught doing so.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade
Yemi-Esan, handed down the warning on August 2, 2021 circular
sighted by The PUNCH not, TheNigerialawyer on Tuesday.

The circular, titled ‘Unauthorised circulation of official
documents/information on social media’ was marked HCSF/3065/Vol.1
/94.

This is the second time the HOCSF will be threatening to wield
the big stick in about one year having issued a similar circular in
May 2020.

In the fresh circular, Yemi-Esan said her office would be
relying on the provisions of the Public Service Rules 030401 and
030402 in dismissing those who continue in what she described as
the “reckless action” and “unwholesome practice.”

The circular read, “The attention of the Office of the Head of
the Civil Service of the Federation has been drawn to the incessant
unauthorised disclosure of official documents/information on social
media platforms.

“The unwholesome practice involves posting/reposting of secret,
confidential and classified government correspondences, policy
drafts, minutes, notes, memos, etc., on social media.

“This reckless action is tantamount to a breach of the Oath of
Secrecy public servants swore to, and a serious misconduct which
may lead to dismissal from the service, as provided in the Public
Service Rules 030401 and 030402.

“Henceforth, any officer caught posting/reporting government
documents on social media and other platforms without authorisation
would be severelv disciplined in accordance with the provisions of
the PSR.

“This circular, therefore, reinforces the earlier circular on
the subject, Ref. No/ HCSF/109/S.l/120 dated May 22, 2020 and other
extant regulations prohibiting unauthorised publishing of official
documents.

“Permanent Secretaries and Heads/Chief Executive Officers of
extra-ministerial departments are to bring the content of this
circular to all staff for compliance.”

Heads of government agencies who copies of the circular were
made available to include the Chief of Staff to the President;
Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the
Vice-President; ministers; Secretary to the Government of the
Federation; permanent secretaries; service chiefs/lnspector-GeneräI
of Police; and Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria.

Others are the chairmen of the Federal Civil Service Commission,
Police Service Commission, Code of Conduct Bureau, Code of Conduct
Tribunal, Federal Character Commission, Revenue Mobilisation,
Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related
Offences Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service and the
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

They also include the Clerk of the National Assembly; Secretary,
National Judicial Council; Accountant-General of the Federation:
Auditor-General for the Federation; Surveyor-General of the
Federation; Chief Registrar, Supreme Court of Nigeria as well as
Directors-General and Chief Executives of parastataIs/agencies.

The Federal Government has again raised the alarm over what it
described as incessant unauthorised disclosure of official
documents on social media and other platforms.

It has therefore threatened to henceforth dismiss officials
caught doing so.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade
Yemi-Esan, handed down the warning on August 2, 2021 circular
sighted by The PUNCH not, TheNigerialawyer on Tuesday.

The circular, titled ‘Unauthorised circulation of official
documents/information on social media’ was marked HCSF/3065/Vol.1
/94.

This is the second time the HOCSF will be threatening to wield
the big stick in about one year having issued a similar circular in
May 2020.

In the fresh circular, Yemi-Esan said her office would be
relying on the provisions of the Public Service Rules 030401 and
030402 in dismissing those who continue in what she described as
the “reckless action” and “unwholesome practice.”

The circular read, “The attention of the Office of the Head of
the Civil Service of the Federation has been drawn to the incessant
unauthorised disclosure of official documents/information on social
media platforms.

“The unwholesome practice involves posting/reposting of secret,
confidential and classified government correspondences, policy
drafts, minutes, notes, memos, etc., on social media.

“This reckless action is tantamount to a breach of the Oath of
Secrecy public servants swore to, and a serious misconduct which
may lead to dismissal from the service, as provided in the Public
Service Rules 030401 and 030402.

“Henceforth, any officer caught posting/reporting government
documents on social media and other platforms without authorisation
would be severelv disciplined in accordance with the provisions of
the PSR.

“This circular, therefore, reinforces the earlier circular on
the subject, Ref. No/ HCSF/109/S.l/120 dated May 22, 2020 and other
extant regulations prohibiting unauthorised publishing of official
documents.

“Permanent Secretaries and Heads/Chief Executive Officers of
extra-ministerial departments are to bring the content of this
circular to all staff for compliance.”

Heads of government agencies who copies of the circular were
made available to include the Chief of Staff to the President;
Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the
Vice-President; ministers; Secretary to the Government of the
Federation; permanent secretaries; service chiefs/lnspector-GeneräI
of Police; and Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria.

Others are the chairmen of the Federal Civil Service Commission,
Police Service Commission, Code of Conduct Bureau, Code of Conduct
Tribunal, Federal Character Commission, Revenue Mobilisation,
Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related
Offences Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service and the
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

They also include the Clerk of the National Assembly; Secretary,
National Judicial Council; Accountant-General of the Federation:
Auditor-General for the Federation; Surveyor-General of the
Federation; Chief Registrar, Supreme Court of Nigeria as well as
Directors-General and Chief Executives of parastataIs/agencies.