Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami has denied giving directives for the reinstatement of former Chairman of Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina back into the Federal Civil Service.
Maina was sacked by the Federal Civil Service Commission for absconding from his duty post.
Malami, Thursday at the Aliyu Madaki-led House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigative hearing on the disappearance, reinstatement and promotion of Maina said the letter of reinstatement did not emanate from his office because as at 5th October, 2017, Maina’s reinstatement matter was ‘work in progress’ that has not been completed.
He however said the consideration being given to Maina’s request for reinstatement was borne out of national interest that overrides individual interests
The Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau also washed his hands off the reinstatement saying the office of the Minister did not write any letter to that effect, since it was an establishment rather than policy matter which he oversees.
Dambazzau said, the Permanent Secretary Abubakar Magaji, who is on sick leave would be in the best position to address the issue.
Similarly, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Winifred Eyo-Ita said she did not direct the Ministry of Interior to act on the reinstatement following a letter from the AGF requesting the reinstatement.
She said she withheld the letter that was forwarded to her desk by the FCSC in order to make further clarification because the action was against the anti-corruption stance of the government.
According to her, she formally questioned the proprietary of the Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry, Magaji for acting on the AGF letter without directives from the office of the HoCSF.
The acting Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Joseph Oluremi said his Commission acted on the reinstatement based on the letter from the AGF, who made it clear that legal process concerning the issue were carefully examined.
He also said it was not the duty of a Ministry to reinstate any official.
Both Eyo-Ita and Oluremi said being the chief Legal officer of rhe country, they have no basis to question the AGF notwithstanding that they are aware of the statutory responsibilities of their respective offices.
Malami, who disclosed that a multi – sectoral pension fraud syndicate is fleecing the country of N3.7b monthly, in his presentation said he got clearance from relevant security agencies and the National Security Adviser, Gen. Babagana Monguno before his meeting that was arranged through a third party with Maina in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE) where he was availed further information on recovery drive and individuals involved.
Malami absolved himself of the reinstatement of Maina saying he delegated the examination of the request by Maina’s lawyers for reinstatement to one of his subordinates.
The AGF said his minutes to correspondences between himself and the line officer in charge of the matter were about the need for the officer to present stronger evidence-based argument for the reinstatement.
Saying that he was embarrassed by media reports that he was compromised about the reinstatement issue, Malami said, “As at 5th October, 2017, the issue of Maina was still work in progress, I did not give any directive that Maina be reinstated.
“The issue of reinstatement of Maina was done with no strings attached, based on court processes and the fact that none of the parties exercised their rights of appeal, I acted in the best interest of Nigeria, not on any individual’s interest
“The legal opinion of the AGF was anchored on my oath of office and the responsibility of the office”.
He said based on the correspondences between himself and the line officer and his minutes on the correspondences, “The letter of reinstatement of Maina couldn’t have emanated from my office.
“That letter of 21 Feb, when I was confronted with that letter by the Senate, it didn’t ring a bell at all in my memory. What I did was going back to the office to call for the file. And then arising from the file, I could confirm that there was a letter from the Miana’s lawyer.
“I could confirm that I treated that letter in February and directed the line officer to treat it. I could confirm that the line officer revert back to a memo expressing an opinion with a draft letter, suggesting that I should direct that Maina should be reinstated.
“I could confirm that my mind was agitated over the content and the conclusion of that letter and I could confirm that I minuted on the on the letter of April that “develop further opinion to convince me that the content and conclusion of the judgement in support of the Maina’s lawyer reasonably suggests a conclusion for a consequential effect to the judgment.
“I could confirm that there was no further correspondence from the line office upto sometimes in May when the line officer now came up with additional memo and in that memo tried to justify the conclusion that I could direct for the reinstatement of Miana.
“And I could equally that in that memo; reference was made to court process relating to Indutrial court in which Maina filed an action against the federal government.
“And I could confirm as well that I minuted on that memo directing the officer to make available copies of those court processes that were not made available in support of the memo and I could confirm there was no further correspondence in that regard until sometimes in October precisely on the 5th day of October when the line officer came up with a clean-up copy of the letter seeking my endorsement. In that letter, he was making reference to the previous correspondence.
“And when the correspondence and processes could not ring bell in my memory until I read the letter with the hope to reduce the situation, it was the point at which the whole media issue surrounding the matter now evolved. So, what I am saying in essence, my position is as far as Maina’s request for reinstatement was concerned, it was indeed, a work in progress as at the fifth day of October, 2017”.
He also said pension fraud was beyond Maina, stating that a syndicate that cut across all sectors, including serving and retired public officers, including members of the National Assembly was involved in the cornering N3.7b monthly from pension funds.
He said it was discovered that over 116,000 ghost workers responsible for N829m monthly spread across 29 bank accounts have been uncovered.
He disclosed that his office has commenced investigation on the pension fraud in some key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA).
“Maina was part of the syndicate until things fell apart between them, the decision I took was not about Maina but in the larger interest of Nigerians,” he added.
On his part, Maina’s counsel, Muhammed Katu said there was no need for the hearing since the House has already adjudged Maina guilty having asked security agencies to arrest and prosecute him in its resolution.
He however said Maina is willing to attend the hearing and she’d light on the issue but is seeking protection of the House that security agencies would be prevailed upon not to arrest or harass him.
He said Maina was never dismissed because those that carried out the purported dismissal lacked the authority to do it, adding that Maina went on exile because his life was in danger.
He said Maina was still in service and working for the government, and that 23 files were recently referred to him as Acting Director.
While displaying the original copy of the letter, Katu said Maina was reinstated through a letter signed by Dr. R.K Attahiru of the Department of Human Resources in the Interior Ministry.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris said Maina is still on its wanted list and the International Police has been placed on red alert.
Deputy Inspector Gemwral of Police (DIG), Valentine Tochukwu, who represented the IGP, said there was no record of any police officer attached to Maina.
He also said Police authority has no details of pension fraud in the service.
In same vein, Independent Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) acting Chai an Abdulahi Bako also said the Commission has no role on the disappearance or reinstatement of Maina.
The Committee said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must appear before it on the next adjourned date of 30th November, 2017.
|The Nation
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