More than 18 months after their recruitment, dozens of newly employed State Counsel have yet to assume duty at the Federal Ministry of Justice, despite receiving appointment letters over a year ago. The prolonged delay has left the affected recruits stranded, jobless, and increasingly frustrated.
No fewer than 35 lawyers successfully passed the 2024 recruitment exercise and were issued appointment letters by the Federal Civil Service Commission. Following this, they were directed to complete documentation at the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation in April 2024.
However, unlike their colleagues posted to other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), those assigned to the Ministry of Justice remain in limbo without formal deployment.
The affected recruits revealed that they applied for the positions in April 2023, attended interviews in October 2023, and received appointment notifications in early 2024. Many resigned from previous jobs in anticipation of resuming duty, only to be left unemployed for over a year with no official explanation.
One recruit described the experience as “disheartening,” stressing that despite completing every stage of the recruitment process, they have been met with silence from the ministry. Others expressed concerns that some senior officers within the ministry may be deliberately frustrating the exercise.
Ironically, the Ministry of Justice has consistently lamented shortages of State Counsel, a challenge that contributes to frequent adjournments and delays in the justice system. Yet, qualified lawyers remain undeployed and idle.
The recruits are now appealing to the Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation to urgently intervene, ensure their deployment, and uphold transparency in the recruitment process.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Ministry of Justice were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to the Minister’s media aide, Mr. Kamorudeen Ogundele, went unanswered as at press time.
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