NDLEA Ordered To Suspend Screening Of 5,000 Candidates

The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Malami, said his attention has been drawn to the fact that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has directed a total of 5,000 candidates  to appear at the Agency’s Academy, Citadel Counter-Narcotics Nigeria, (CCNN),  Katton-Rikkos, Jos, Plateau State, for the screening and documentation exercise between January 10 and 23, 2021 at 0900 hours daily.

According to a statement by Dayo Apata, SAN, Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, he said, “It is not in doubt that the exercise is long overdue and necessary for the actualization of the Agency’s mandate, however, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice notes that the timing is ill-advised and inappropriate given the current and alarming wave of COVID-19 pandemic across the country”.

“In view of the foregoing, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation has directed that the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata, SAN to seek clarification/advice from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on the public health implications of such an exercise especially as it relates to the adequacy/possibility of strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols by 5000 applicants at this time of the nation’s health emergency.”

“Considering the above, Malami directed the Chairman of the NDLEA to stay further action on this matter pending the receipt of clarification/advice from the Presidential Task Force.”

“The Chairman was further requested to notify the applicants of this development accordingly.”