ABUJA– FOLLOWING allegation of N3 billion levelled against the Executive members of the National Assembly chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has summoned the leadership of PASAN as well as some aggrieved members.
The ministry in a letter signed by the Director/ the Registrar, Department of Trade Union Services And Industrial Relations for the Minister has invited the PASAN leaders and the aggrieved members to a meeting on Tuesday, October 28 (tomorrow).
The invitation letter was titled, “Re: Petition Against the Misappropriation of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) National Assembly Chapter and Threats of Suspension of Members (sic)”
It was signed by the Director/Registrar, Trade Unions, Amos Falonipe Amos on behalf of the Honourable Minister.
Recall that a member of PASAN, Yusuf Abiola had at a press conference in Abuja early this month, accused the union executive of funds misappropriation.
Abiola , who spoke on behalf of the concerned members of PASAN, noted that the leadership of PASAN, National Assembly Chapter, allegedly misappropriated N3 billion union funds, just as he demanded for the audited financial statements and operational reports from 2019 till date from the executive and vowed to petition relevant authorities to seek redress.
READ ALSO: Property dispute: Late Judge’s daughter asks court to jail executor of father’s will
UNIZIK VC Tussle: Medical Association drags Ag VC to court
In a swift reaction to the allegation, the Chairman of PASAN at the National Assembly, Sunday Sabiyyi, in a statement jointly signed with the Secretary, David Ann Ebizimoh, described the allegation as baseless, frivolous and defamatory.
Sabiyyi called on members of the union and the general public to disregard what he described as “unfounded blackmail intended to distract the union from pursuing its mandate coherently to the letter.”
But the Labour Ministry in its letter of invitation dated October 25, 2024, with reference number FMLE/TU/136/111/82, has, however, summoned the parties involved through a letter addressed to the General Secretary, National Assembly chapter of PASAN.
The letter read in part, “I am directed to refer to your letter dated 18th October, 2024 on the above subject, from the concerned members of PASAN National Assembly Chapter and to invite you for a meeting Scheduled as follows”
“Date: 29th October, 2024; Time: ll am; Venue: Minister’s Conference Hall, Federal Ministry of Labour And Employment, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja.
“In view of the importance of the meeting, you are required to inform all the warring parties accordingly. Accept the warm regards of the Honourable Minister.”