Labour Ministry Summons National Assembly Staff Leadership, Aggrieved Members

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has summoned the leadership of the National Assembly chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) and several aggrieved members for a meeting.

Naija News reports that this is following allegations of a N3 billion fraud levelled against the executives.

In a letter signed by Amos Falonipe, Director/Registrar of the Department of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, the ministry requested the presence of PASAN leaders and concerned members at a meeting scheduled for tomorrow.

The letter, titled “Re: Petition Against the Misappropriation of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, National Assembly Chapter and Threats of Suspension of Members,” was issued on behalf of the minister.

Earlier this month, Yusuf Abiola, a PASAN member, publicly accused the association’s executive of misappropriating union funds.

Representing other concerned members, Abiola claimed that the National Assembly chapter’s leadership had allegedly mismanaged N3 billion and demanded that the executive produce audited financial statements and operational reports from 2019 to the present.

He also threatened to petition relevant authorities for redress.

In response, PASAN’s National Assembly chairman, Sunday Sabiyyi, alongside Secretary David Ann Ebizimoh, issued a statement dismissing the accusations as baseless, frivolous, and defamatory.

Sabiyyi urged union members and the public to disregard what he described as “unfounded blackmail meant to distract the union from fulfilling its mandate.”

Despite the PASAN leadership’s rebuttal, the ministry’s invitation letter, dated October 25, 2024, with reference number FMLE/TU/136/111/82, has officially called the parties to meet and address the allegations.

The letter was directed to the General Secretary of PASAN’s National Assembly chapter.