Maina: Senate grills AGF in secret

 

THE Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami, on Tuesday appeared before Senate ad hoc committee investigating the reinstatement and promotion of former chairman, Presidential Task Force on Pension Reform, Abdulrasheed Maina.

 

Malami, who was invited to explain his role in the controversial issue, was questioned by members of the committee in camera.

Anxious reporters who attempted to cover the investigative hearing were asked to leave the venue as the probe was not open for coverage.

The sensitivity of the issues surrounding Maina’s surreptitious return might have informed the decision of the committee to hold its meeting in secret.

The AGF was earlier scheduled to appear before the committee on November 8, but he sought permission to appear on Tuesday.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, who asked reporters to leave after his brief opening remarks, said the committee was mandated to carry out the investigation following a motion by Senator Isah Hamma Misau, under a matter of urgent public importance.

He added that the resolution to look into the matter was not meant to witch-hunt anybody, adding that the Senate was only carrying out its constitutional responsibility of ensuring good governance in the country.

“We will call the press at the end of the investigation. For now, we will go into a closed-door session so that we will not be swapping between ‘I said this I did not say this.’

“Though Nigerian press is so matured, I am not saying they will misquote us,” Paulker said as he asked journalists to leave the venue.