The Senate has vowed to ensure that details surrounding the controversial reinstatement of former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reform, Abdulrasheed Maina, are unearthed.
This, according to the legislature, was despite efforts by the Presidency to sweep it under the carpet.
The Senate made the vow on Tuesday in a statement issued by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, and made available to The Next Edition.
“The Senate believes Nigerians are interested in knowing the how, who , why and where of what is now known as the ‘Maina Gate’. We definitely will not allow those who want the facts buried to prevail,” Abdullahi stated.
The Senate also wondered why the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Mr. Abubakar Malami, had been making spirited efforts ensure that the probe by the legislature over the matter was not continued.
According to the legislature, having given Malami the opportunity to state all that he knew about the case, there was no need to stall the investigation through any means.
The Senate stated that without doubt, it had the right to carry out the probe.
The statement reads in part: “We are wondering what the AGF is afraid of. When he appeared before our committee, he was well received and fairly treated. He indeed expressed his happiness with the protection given to him by the committee handling the Maina case. Why then is it very important and urgent for him to stop the investigative hearing? What is the AGF trying to hide?
“Let it be known that the legislature has the power of investigation on all institutions, bodies and individuals, particularly those who access funds that have been appropriated by us.
“We however expressed our commendation to the judiciary for upholding the principles of separation of powers and insisting on fair hearing. We believe that is the reason why the judge refused to grant the prayers of the AGF yesterday and rather insisted that the National Assembly should be put on notice and served all the court processes so that we could enter our own defence.
“While we respect the position of the court and would respond accordingly, the Senate has further directed the committee investigating the Maina issue to expedite action and submit their reports on time. The Senate believes Nigerians are interested in knowing the how, who , why and where of what is now known as the ‘Maina Gate’. We definitely will not allow those who want the facts buried to prevail.”
It would be recalled that Maina, who was sacked in 2013, following the recommendation of the Office of the Head of Services, was reinstated last year without due process.
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He was also moved from the post of Assistant Director to an Acting Director in the Ministry of Interior.
The discovery sparked off the fire of controversy which led to an order by President Muhammadu Buhari that Maina should be fired.
Top government officials, including minister involved were queried.
With the roles played by all those involved shrouded, the National Assembly has since set up a committee to carry out a probe.
Shocking revelations were made, even to the fact that when he had been dismissed, Maina was still treating files and collecting salary.
The major players, including Malami appeared before the panel.
Despite the audience he received at the probe panel, Malami had approached the court to stop the probe being carried out by the National Assembly.
On Monday, the request for an order to stop the probe was however refused.
