· 
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.”
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