Maina’s Sack Followed Due Process – Presidency
The Presidency has refuted claims in some quarters that the sacking of the former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, did not follow due process.
This is coming on the heels of continued outrage and controversy over the circumstances surrounding the reinstatement of Abdulrasheed Maina, a former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, as a director in the ministry of Interior.
Maina who was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan as Chairman of the task force in 2010 to check the corruption in the country’s pension system, was however, in 2012, accused by the Nigeria Police of misappropriating N100 billion pension funds in connivance with others.
The Civil Service Commission had reportedly, equally dismissed him for “absconding from duty’’ while he was also arraigned in absentia by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which declared him wanted in 2015.
However, drama played out when the Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau had, on Oct. 22, confirmed the resumption of duty by Abdulrasheed Maina, as an Acting Director in his ministry.
The confirmation came in a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the minister, Mr. Ehisienmen Osaigbovo.
But Maina’s reinstatement sparked widespread outrage, with people accusing the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress, APC, party of aiding corruption through shielding of corrupt persons within its fold, a development they said contradicted Buhari’s stance on war against corruption.
Consequently, the President, on Monday the 23rd of October, 2017, directed the immediate sack of Maina from service while demanding a full report on the circumstances surrounding Maina’s reinstatement.
President Buhari, had also asked the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita to submit a detailed report of the circumstances surrounding Maina’s reinstatement to the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.
The Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina, confirmed the receipt of the report by the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari on Monday night.
However, to set the records straight, the Presidency, while explaining that the sack of the ex-Chairman followed due process said those claiming the contrary were wrong.
It said it was a false statement to say President Buhari’s sacking of Maina did not follow due process.
The presidency used the official Twitter Handle, @NGRPresidentn to give the clarification.
It said the president had directed the appropriate authorities to effect the sack in compliance with due process.
According to the Presidency, “Reports that due process not followed in disengagement of Mr. Maina from Service are incorrect.”
“The President DIRECTED the appropriate authorities to effect the disengagement, in compliance with due process.”
“President @MBuhari will continue to ensure that due process is followed every step of the way.”
Recall that following outrage over Maina’s reinstatement, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau had exonerated himself from complicity in the matter.
Likewise, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, on Monday, dismissed media report that she approved the reinstatement of Abdulrasheed Maina, and his subsequent posting to the Ministry of Interior.
Oyo-Ita’s refutal was contained in a statement by her Assistant Director, Media Relations, Mohammed Manga.
