FG vows to sanction civil servants leaking sensitive documents

The Federal Government has expressed concerns over the “unbecoming” attitude of some civil servants who leak important documents in the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, vowed to ensure that any officer caught in the act of leaking government memos would be severely dealt with in line with the relevant provisions of the Public Service Rules and other extant circulars.

Yemi-Esan, in a circular dated February 19, 2024, and uploaded on the website of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, said the leakages of such documents have become embarrassing to the government and, as such, unacceptable.

The circular was addressed to the president, Chief of Staff to the President, Ministers, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, all Permanent Secretaries, Service Chiefs/Inspector-Generai of Police, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, and Chairman, Police Service Commission.

The circular titled ‘Measures to curtail the leakage of sensitive official information and documents in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies’ was also addressed to the Accountant-General of the Federation, Auditor-General for the Federation, Surveyor-General of the Federation, Chief Registrar, Supreme Court of Nigeria Directors-General, and Chief Executives of Parastatals and Agencies.

Others copied in the circular are the Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau, Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal, Chairman, Federal Character Commission, Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, & Fiscal Commission, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Clerk of the National Assembly, and Secretary, National Judicial Council.

The circular reads: “It has been observed with dismay the increase in the cases of leakage of sensitive official documents in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDA).

“This is very embarrassing to the government and therefore unacceptable. As part of the efforts to curb this undesirable development, all Permanent Secretaries are to fast-track the migration to the digitalized workflow system and ensure effective deployment of the Enterprise Content Management (ECM) Solution.

“This will reduce physical contact with official documents, thereby checking the increasing incidence of leakage and circulation of the same.

“Furthermore, Permanent Secretaries are advised to strongly warn all staff against leaking and circulating official information and documents.

“Any officer caught engaging in such an unbecoming act will be severely dealt with in line with the relevant provisions of the Public Service Rules and other existing circulars.

“This circular therefore reinforces the circular on “Unauthorised Circulation of Official Documents/Information on Social Media.”

“Permanent secretaries are to ensure strict compliance with the contents of this circular and draw the attention of the heads of the agencies under their supervision to the same.”