Reps panel to probe Maina saga

THE House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to constitute an ad hoc committee to investigate the resurfacing, re-absorbing and subsequent elevation of Mr Abdulrasheed Maina from the rank of Assistant Director to the position of an Acting Director.

The House also recommended strong sanctions against any person or persons who are implicated in the scandal, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC was asked to immediately arrest Mr Maina for subsequent prosecution in order to serve as a deterrent to others who might have corrupt tendencies.

The House equally commended President Muhammadu Buhari for being proactive in directing the immediate sack of Mr Maina from the Federal Civil Service.

The House resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Honourable Jagaba Adams Jagaba entitled “need to investigate the disappearance, re-appearance, and subsequent reinstatement and promotion of Abdulrasheed Maina, the former Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on Pension regime”.

The mover of the motion, Honourable Jagaba who chaired the House committee on Interior maintained that the mystery behind the whole saga must be investigated.

Honourable Jagaba in his motion recalled that, Mr Maina was appointed as chairman of the Presidential Task Force in 2010 to check the complaint in the country’s Pension system by former President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that during that time the Nigeria Police accused him of mismanaging over N100 billion pension funds.

He further said that in 2015, the EFCC through its spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren declared him wanted, adding that the National Assembly also invited Mr Maina to appear before its committee but he turned down the invitations on several occasions.

Contributing to the motion, Deputy Chief Whip, Honourable Pally Iriase, said that the action President Buhari had taken was not enough, saying “there are many questions begging for answer”.

Honourable Wale Raji while kicking against the motion said that, the House should exercise caution noting that, “Mr President has already ordered for investigation, we should wait for the outcome of the investigation. This is an executive responsibility “.

But, Honourable Mark Gbillah in his contribution said that, the House should investigate the matter, maintaining that, “we cannot trust the executive to do a due diligence. We need to the root of this matter and address it”.

Honourable Ahmed Kaita while contributing to the motion said that the House should be careful and carryout the investigation with every sense of responsibility.

The Chief Whip, Honourable Alhasan Doguwa on his part said that the House Committees must ensure that they carry out proper oversight.

The plenary session where the motion was adopted was presided over by Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara.