In the petition dated and signed by Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide on behalf of the forum, ENF said it was acting in the public interest and in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules, the Federal Civil Service Regulations and applicable anti-corruption laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) has petitioned the Minister of Health and the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of retirement fraud, abuse of office, financial impropriety and unlawful occupation of office by the Head of Nursing Services at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
In the petition dated and signed by Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide on behalf of the forum, ENF said it was acting in the public interest and in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules, the Federal Civil Service Regulations and applicable anti-corruption laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to the petition, the officer at the centre of the allegations proceeded on terminal leave in 2025 and was due for statutory retirement on January 9, 2026, having attained the mandatory retirement threshold stipulated under the Public Service Rules.
However, ENF alleged that despite the clear expiration of her service tenure, the officer has refused to disengage from service and continues to occupy the office of Head of Nursing Services at LUTH, exercising authority without any lawful basis.
“The officer concerned has passed her statutory retirement date but has continued to unlawfully retain and occupy the office, in blatant violation of established public service rules,” the forum stated.
The petition further accused the retired officer of compelling nurses under her command to make monetary contributions towards a proposed retirement or send-forth ceremony prior to her retirement date.
According to ENF, the contributions were not voluntary but were allegedly collected under duress.
“These payments were made under fear of victimisation, intimidation and punitive postings, as refusal to comply was perceived to attract adverse consequences,” the petition read.
ENF further alleged that the officer is widely known within LUTH for a pattern of tyrannical and oppressive conduct towards subordinate staff, creating a climate of fear and silence.
More troubling, the forum alleged that the proposed retirement or send-forth ceremony for which the funds were collected never took place.
Instead, ENF claimed that the monies were allegedly diverted for personal use, including the organisation of a private birthday celebration for the officer.
“No formal account was rendered to the nurses who contributed the funds, and no transparency or refund has been made to date,” the petition stated.
The nurses’ forum also drew attention to a recent Federal Government circular on extension of service years, stressing that the circular clearly stipulates mandatory conditions for any officer seeking an extension beyond the statutory retirement age.
According to ENF, the requirements include the submission of a formal application to the Federal Ministry of Health, the attachment of a medical fitness certificate and compliance with a minimum notice period of three months before the official retirement date.
The forum alleged that the Head of Nursing Services at LUTH failed to meet these mandatory conditions and that her retirement date had already elapsed, rendering any continued stay in office “null, void and contrary to law.”
In the petition, ENF raised key issues for determination, including whether an officer who has proceeded on terminal leave and passed her statutory retirement date can lawfully remain in office, and whether coercing subordinates to make financial contributions and allegedly diverting such funds for personal use amounts to abuse of office and financial misconduct.
The forum also questioned whether the continued retention of a retired officer undermines public service rules, staff morale and employment opportunities for qualified but unemployed nurses.
ENF warned that the alleged misconduct has had far-reaching consequences within LUTH and the nursing profession at large.
According to the forum, the actions have allegedly created fear, oppression and psychological distress among nurses, undermined discipline and administrative order within the teaching hospital, deprived qualified unemployed nurses of employment opportunities and brought the nursing profession and the Nigerian public service into disrepute.
In light of the allegations, ENF called on the Minister of Health and the ICPC to take immediate and decisive action.
Among its demands are the immediate disengagement of the Head of Nursing Services at LUTH in line with the Public Service Rules, a thorough and independent investigation into the alleged financial misconduct and diversion of retirement or send-forth funds, and the refund of all monies collected from nurses under coercion.
The forum also demanded appropriate disciplinary and legal actions where infractions are established, the issuance of clear directives to prevent illegal retention or post-retirement extension of service without due process, and the replacement of retired officers with qualified unemployed nurses in line with government employment policies.
"We respectfully but firmly request the following: Immediate disengagement of the Head of Nursing Services at LUTH in accordance with the Public Service Rules.
"A thorough, independent investigation into the alleged financial misconduct and diversion of retirement/send-forth funds, refund of all monies collected from Nurses under coercion.
"Appropriate disciplinary and legal actions where infractions are established, issuance of clear directives to prevent illegal retention or post-retirement extension of service without due process.
"Replacement of retired officers with qualified unemployed Nurses in line with government employment policy," the forum said.
According to the petitioners, "This petition is submitted in good faith, without malice, and solely in the interest of justice, accountability, and the integrity of the Nigerian public health service.
"We trust in the authority of your office to act decisively to uphold the rule of law and protect the dignity of the Nursing profession.
"We thank you for your anticipated attention and intervention."