Oyo-Ita

Temporary relief may have come the way of theHead of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, as President Muhammadu Buhari is said to have rejected her forced retirement, thus prompting her to return to her duty post on Thursday.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC had accused her of using front companies to scheme N3billion from contractors, an accusation she strongly denied.

Sources at the Presidency however hint that the decision of the President to reject her early retirement may not be unconnected with the need to complete the investigations to determine her level of culpability or otherwise.

The sources also said that the President believes that the decision of the HOS to resign even before the commencement of full investigations into the matter was hasty; as she needed to be given more time to think such decision through.

Oyo-Ita had sent in her resignation last weekend following pressure from her family members to opt for an early retirement to save her image and that of the family.

It was reported that Oyo-Ita was present at the swearing-in of new ministers on Wednesday, which seems to confirm reports that President Buhari has actually rejected her early retirement ..

The embattled Head of Service had stayed away from office last week, having obtained a sick leave after appearing at the EFCC office. She was also absent from the two-day presidential retreat held for ministers designate at the presidential villa but however made a sudden appearance at the swearing-in of the ministers on Wednesday, after which she went to the office for the first time in the last one week.

Oyo-Ita was spotted sitting close to the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari during the swearing-in ceremony, having visited him earlier in his office.