The family of runaway former chairman of the presidential task force on pension reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, has accused top officials of the Muhammadu Buhari administration of facilitating his return to Nigeria to join the administration’s “change agenda” with assurances that his security would be guaranteed.
The family in a press conference through Aliyu Maina, the fugitive’s brother, in Kaduna on Wednesday threatened to expose those in government who are after Abdulrasheed, who the EFCC and the Nigerian Senate have issued warrants for his arrest for allegedly stealing over N100 billion from the pension fund.
Maina’s brother said the fugitive has documents in his possession that he is willing to share with Nigerians on the theft of pensions.
“Based on his sterling record at the scheme, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari appealed to Maina to key into the change agenda.
Why are government officials denying Abdulrasheed Maina especially when the Department of State Services (DSS), provided security for him?
“Perhaps, it is his noble efforts that made him enviable to the present administration when they came into power to convince him to come back and assist in its ‘Change agenda.
“Abdulrasheed was in fact invited by this administration and he was promised security to come and clean up the mess and generate more revenue for government by blocking leakages.
“He succumbed to the present administration and came back to Nigeria. He has been working with the DSS for quite some time and he was given necessary security.
“There is a letter from the attorney-general of the federation where he gave his own legal opinion regarding the court verdict which was submitted to the Civil Service Commission and the head of service respectively. So, one wonders why all the agencies and various individuals responsible for his return are now denying.
“Abdulrasheed Maina had been a target in the past. So, experience is the best teacher. But when his security is guaranteed, he will surface from wherever he is and tell Nigerians the truth. One must ask whether it is an offence for somebody to serve his fatherland.
“It is on record that Abdulrasheed Maina’s reform put to a stop the fraudulent withdrawal of huge sums from both the Nigerian Pension Board, the Nigerian Police Pension Board, etc.,” the spokesman said.
President Buhari Monday ordered Maina’s dismissal from the civil service after he was secretly reinstated by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, and the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahaman Dambazzau.
The Senate wants Malami and Dambazzau sacked and prosecuted.
