Tuesday RapAround: #MainaGate: Why Is No One Taking Responsibility?

#MainaGate: Why Is No One Taking Responsibility? By Michael Ayotunde 

Are there really a grand deception to cover up the scandalous allegation against the erstwhile Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina?

Are there really some clandestine moves to inundate us with what we already know – preparing a soft landing and or a pat on the back or what some people would naturally describe as “fire extinguisher for some” and “body spray for others”

Are the game players in the whole episode actually acting out a script with a view to sweeping the shameful act under the carpet?

Abdulrasheed Maina

Why have senior officials of the Federal Government with controversial connection with the inglorious re-instatement of the alleged pension thief been too evasive in their respective submissions both at the public hearing organised by the National Assembly Committees to unravel the behind-the-scene-drama and at the other occasions where the issue was raised?

It was even stated that long after President Muhammadu Buhari ordered that Maina should be dismissed immediately from service, he was still discreetly in service – he was still getting files and other documents for treatment, his remunerations were paid up to date.

Two scenarios have propped up here – first, the class of people those in the presidency will strive hard to demonise all in a bid to condemn and probably hanged; and secondly, the class of people whose offence would be made to look ordinary and or inconsequential irrespective of the gravity of the offence such an individual may have committed. The sad development involving Maina falls into the second category.

Sadly, the unfortunate development happened, with its aftermath still being perfected and played out, yet no one has come forward to lay claim to being behind the whole drama and or take responsibility.

If Maina were to be an opposition member, the whole world, no doubt, would have been inundated with stories and drama on how EFCC, DSS, SSS among others rolled out tanks and armoured carrier to arrest him – whether day, night or any other time they chose. But because, he seems to be hobnobbing with some Buhari’s kitchen cabinet members, he looks untouchable.

If the nation’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami could muster enough energy to initiate and is still pursuing the trial and prosecution of Senator Misau who accused the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Idris of corruption, one wonders what stops the AGF from instituting similar prosecution move to bring Maina to face the law if truly the law is for all and not for certain people. And instead of Maina speaking from his hiding to defend himself, he should be bold enough to come out and defend himself if he is truly innocent.

There are laws in Nigeria, no doubt, but there is nothing like equality before the law. Some flout the rules at will, and without being made answerable to the law of the land. This is a case of double standard. What does this connotes? It is simply a mockery of the leadership in the country and whatever policies and programmes they may have initiated to move the nation forward.

This has once again succeeded in bringing to fore the age-long debate on whether to separate of the office of the Attorney-General from that of the Minister of Justice. As it stands, it is eminently obvious that the nation is headed for the rock as long as a career politician and game player like Malami is made to be the nation’s Chief Law Officer. Anybody can be Justice Minister, but not everybody should be the Attorney General. The latter should strictly be reserved for a thoroughbred professional.

What becomes the fortune of a nation when the AGF, the Chief Law Officer is seen hobnobbing with people who have mortgaged the future of generations yet unborn for immediate selfish reason.

With incriminating revelations detailing how series of letters emanated from the office of AGF, and that of the minister of interior, with all pointing to the fact that there were forces behind the scene who were actually pushing to re-instate Maina, a fugitive who was sacked and declared wanted by government agencies few years ago.

To this end, it has been confirmed that three top officials in the government of President Muhammadu Buhari played prominent roles in the controversial reinstatement of Abdulrasheed Maina.

Documents showed the involvement and full knowledge of Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita; Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami in the highly controversial reinstatement that has become the talk of the town.

It should be noted that the federal civil service commission dismissed Maina in 2013 for absconding from duty following a recommendation by the office of the head of service.

He was accused of being involved in pension fraud running into over N100 billion. After an investigation by the senate joint committee on public service and establishment and state and local government administration, a warrant of arrest was issued against him.

Subsequently, the police declared him wanted and he went into hiding. He reportedly fled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was after his long absence from office that he was dismissed.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also declared him wanted, while the INTERPOL issued a worldwide red alert on Maina, based on a request from the EFCC.

But four years later, Maina managed to find his way back into the civil service. In a letter dated September 17, the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) made a strong case for Maina’s reinstatement.

The letter, signed by one Mustapha Suleiman on behalf of the chairman of the commission, referred to previous correspondence on the issue. The letter showed that while Dambazau and Oyo-Ita played supervisory roles, as committees under them made recommendations, Malami was actively involved.

The letter reads in part: “Kindly refer to the Attorney General of the Federation/Honourable Minister of Justice letter ref no HAGF/FCSC/2017/VOL.1/3 dated 27th April, 2017 requesting Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) to give consequential effect to the judgement that voided the warrant of arrest issued against A.A. Maina which formed the basis for the query and his eventual dismissal.

“Further to the aforementioned letter, the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) at its meeting held on 14th June 2017 deliberated on the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF’s) letter and requested the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) vide letter FC.4029/82/VOL.III/160 of 21st June, 2017, to advise the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Interior to consider the AGF’s letter, the officer’s case and make appropriate recommendation to the commission.”

Meanwhile, Malami denied ever authorising such a letter. But the question is – who could have authorised such correspondence with all the paraphernalia of the presidency, yet, without the knowledge of the Chief Law Officer? And with that, nothing funny or strange seems to have happened at the presidency to warrant massive shake-up.

Is this how this deadly monster, corruption, going to be fought and won? Or is corruption fight just by name-calling – with no clear and systematic approaches to nip the monster in the bud?

It is often said that to have a just, equitable society, there must be rule of law – which must be binding on all; justice; independent and incorruptible judiciary; foresight and responsible executive and objective and dynamic legislature. Where and when these key stakeholders are available with their respective but distinct roles and objectives fully harnessed, the society stand a good chance to benefit immensely.