The Head of Service of
the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita,
has said President Muhammadu
Buhari is aware of the reinstatement of a former Chairman of the Pension Reforms Commission, Mallam
Abdulrasheed Maina, into the civil service.
She however said she
warned the President against it.
Oyo-Ita said that her
warning was based on the implications such reinstatement would have on the
anti-corruption war of the Federal Government.
The HoS stated this in
her memo to the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Abba Kyari.
The memo, with
reference number HSCSF/HCSF/LU/COR/FCSC/750/T, was dated October 23, 2017.
The memo, titled, “Re:
Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina,” was received in the office of the Chief of Staff
to the President on October 23.
A copy of the memo was
sighted by our correspondent in Abuja on Monday.
The President had
directed the HoS to investigate the circumstances that surrounded the return of
Maina to the civil service.
He gave the directive
following the public outcry that trailed Maina’s reinstatement.
Maina, whose
whereabouts is still unknown, has been
accused of embezzling pensioners’ funds running into billions of naira and is
currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Explaining further, the
HoS said she met the President after the Federal Executive Council meeting of
Wednesday, October 11, where she
verbally warned Buhari against bringing Maina back to the service.
She, however, did not
say what the response of the President was after briefing him.
Oyo-Ita said, “Please,
note that the OHCSF was never in agreement with the reinstatement and
consequently never conveyed the approval of the FCPC to Mr. A. A. Maina, nor
approved his posting to the Ministry of Interior or any other MDA
“Rather, I sought
audience with His Excellency, Mr. President on Wednesday, 11th October, 2017
after the FEC meeting where I briefed His Excellency verbally on the
wide-ranging implications of the reinstatement of Mr. A. A. Maina, especially
the damaging impact on the anti-corruption stance of this administration.”
The letter partly read,
“Further to your letter Ref. SH/COS/100/A/1570 dated 23rd October, 2017 on the
above subject matter, I write to inform you of the circumstances leading to the
irregular recall of Mr. Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina.
“I wrote to place on
record the following facts as it permits to Mr. A. A. Maina who was dismissed
from service on 21st February, 2013.
“The move to recall Mr.
A. A. Maina was at the instance of a series of letters from the Attorney
General of the Federation to the Federal Civil Service Commission requesting
the commission to give consequential effect to the judgement that voided the
warrant of arrest issued against Mr. A. A. Maina which formed the basis for the
query and his eventual dismissal.
“The letters herewith
attached as Annexes I-III are:
(a) Ref. HAGF/FFCSC/2017/VOL.1/1 dated 19th
January 2017,
(b) Ref.
HAGF/FFCSC/2017/VOL.1/ 2 dated 21st February 2017; and
(c)Ref.
HAGF/FFCSC/2017/VOL.1/1 dated 27th April 2017.
“The FCSC thereafter
requested that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation should advise
the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior to consider the AGF’s letter and
make appropriate recommendations to the commission and this was so communicated
to the Ministry of Interior.
“The Ministry of
Interior took the matter to the Senior Staff Committee of the ministry and
recommended the reinstatement of Mr. A. A. Maina into the service as Deputy
Director.
“The OHCSF forwarded
the recommendation to the FCSC which has the constitutional responsibility for
appointments, promotion and discipline for further action.
“The FCSC in
consideration of the letter from the AGF and the recommendations of the SSC of
the Ministry of Interior consequently approved and conveyed the reinstatement
of Mr. A. A. Maina with effect from 21st February, 2013 vide letter herewith
attached as Annex IV.
“(vi) The letter of
reinstatement, as communicated to HCSF Ref. FC. 4029.82/Vol. III/179 dated 18th September, 2017 attached herewith as
Annex IV, ostensibly also copied the Ministry of Interior which is the one
erroneously used to document Mr. A. A. Maina on a claim that he has resumed
work since 28th September, 2017. The Ministry of Interior informed the OHCSF of
this development vide letter Ref. MI/1436/II/24 dated 16th October, 2017 from
Ministry of Interior stating that Mr. A. A. Maina has resumed with effect from
28th September, 2017 is attached as Annex V.
“Please note that the
OHCSF was never in agreement with the reinstatement and consequently never conveyed
the approval of the FCSC to Mr. A. A. Maina nor approved his posting to the
Ministry of Interior or any other MDA. Rather, I sought audience with His
Excellency, Mr. President on Wednesday, 11th October, 2017 after the FEC
meeting where I briefed His Excellency verbally on the wide-ranging
implications of the reinstatement of Mr. A. A. Maina, especially the damaging
impact on the anti-corruption stance of this administration.
“However, I have
requested the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, to provide any
documentary evidence to support the claim of reinstatement and posting of Mr.
A. A. Maina by OHCSF, since after his dismissal.
“The letter to the
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior is attached as Annex VI. The
foregoing is accordingly submitted for your information and further
consideration.
“Please accept the
assurances of my best regards.”
Copyright PUNCH.
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