MainaGate: CACOL demands thorough investigation, punishment for those found wanting

The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), has challenged the Federal Government to ensure a thorough and holistic investigation into the facts surrounding the sudden re-emergence of former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina, accused of complicity in a multi-billion pension naira scam and give due punishment for those found wanting in the saga that led to the reinstatement.

CACOL in a press statement by its Executive Chairman, Comrade DeboAdeniran, noted with disdain what it described as the unfettered reappearance of Maina and his absurd appointment as a Director in a Federal Agency, adding that such action smacks of executive arrogance, management ruthlessness and an affront on the collective intelligence of Nigerians by government.

“Not only did Maina resurfaced, Nigerians woke to be greeted with the rude news that the ex-fugitive, who had been in the wanted list of the security apparatus in the country, has been made a Director in a Federal Agency.

There couldn’t have been more devastating news in a country where anti-corruption discharges are being taunted as the hallmark of governance.

“Even as the Federal Government has ordered the reversal of Maina’s appointment, we are disturbed by the chain of atrocities that gave birth to his sudden appearance in Nigeria, ostensibly without the knowledge of the security apparatus that were supposed to have been on his trail in the past four years.”

It will be recalled that CACOL had recently called on the Federal Government to embark on a house cleaning that would relieve some ministers of their jobs, among them the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Malami Abubakar, “whose name also resonated in the recent saga to confirm that hardly would there be any high profile scandal in the country without AGF’s involvement.

“We are very aware that Maina was declared wanted by the police and the EFCC. In that case, it is evident that the EFCC, the police, the DSS, the interior ministry and even Interpol should have been on the case since it got to their knowledge that Maina had crossed international borders.

“What happened with all these agencies? Did he actually sneak into the country without the knowledge of all the security apparatus? Was there a process that vacated the wanted status?

What was this process and who were involved? These are very salient questions that are begging for urgent response from government,” he said.

According to the anti-corruption organisation, its stance is that while the civil service aspect can be sorted out and erring officers punished, “we crave to know if our borders are that porous that those charged with the responsibilities to watch over it are so helplessly inefficient.”

“We are of the opinion that all these are happening as a result of official laxities and gross despondence on the part of people charged with governmental responsibilities.

And this is the reason President Muhammadu Buhari, at this point, needs to match his words with urgent action by producing all that partook in the evil process that brought back Maina into the country unchallenged and even made moves to impose him on us as a top public officer.

We hasten President Muhammadu Buhari to address these issues alongside the probe he had already requested.

It will be recalled that the Federal Civil Service Commission dismissed Maina in 2013 for absconding from duty following a recommendation by the office of the Head of Service after which he was accused of being involved in pension fraud running into over N100 billion.

Sequel to the allegation, an investigation by the Senate Joint Committee on Public Service and Establishment and state and local government administration found him guilty and a warrant of arrest was issued against him.

On the heels of the warrant, the police declared him wanted and he went into hiding. He reportedly fled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was after his long absence from office that he was dismissed.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also declared him wanted, while the INTERPOL issued a worldwide red alert on Maina, based on a request from the EFCC.