Nigerian Army officers reject offer to convert disengagement to voluntary retirement

By Adeleye Kunle

Nigerian Army officers compulsorily retired in 2016 have rejected an offer to convert their disengagement to voluntary retirement.

One of them, Colonel Danladi Hassan, who appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, insisted the Army obey the Court of Appeal order to reinstate him with full benefits.

Hassan, Colonel Mohammed Suleiman, Colonel Chidi Ukoha, Lieutenant Colonel Abdulfatai Mohammed and others were forced to retire in 2016.

The affected officers were nine Major Generals, 11 Brigadier Generals, seven colonels and 11 Lieutenant Colonels.

In 2019, the National Industrial Court (NIC) sitting in Abuja ordered that the Nigerian Army reabsorb Colonel Hassan. The ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeal.

But the ruling is yet to be respected, prompting the officers to petition the Green Chamber of the National Assembly to wade into the matter.

Chairman of the Committee, Jerry Alagbaoso later wrote to the Army demanding their appearance before the lawmakers.

At its last sitting, the House told the authorities to put their position in writing and present it at the resumed hearing.

The Army responded via a letter, with ref HQ DLS/A/GI/300/56 dated October 7, 2022, addressed to Alagbaoso. The presentation was made by Major P. C. Obinyan