Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau has asked wanted former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina to surrender to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

According to Punch, Dambazau said this in an official correspondence sent to the EFCC by the ministry.

Background:

• Maina was dismissed in 2013 by the Federal Civil Service Commission following a recommendation by the Office of the Head of Service.
• He was accused of massive pension fraud scheme amounting to more than N100 billion.
• Maina sued the Senate, after the upper chamber issued an arrest warrant against him.
• Maina was dismissed by the Head of Service for allegedly absconding from duty and attempting to evade arrest and charged to court.
• Reports recently emerged that Maina has returned to the country, now works with the government and has been promoted.
• However, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered his immediate disengagement from office and also queried the Head of Service over his reinstatement.
• The EFCC stormed a mansion in Abuja belonging to Maina, who is till on its wanted list.
• Winifred, Oyo-Ita, head of service also denied any complicity in the reinstatement of Maina.
• The EFCC recently sealed four houses and 2 companies belonging to Maina.

What is happening:

The letter was in response to a letter written to the ministry asking that it makes Maina available for questioning.

A source at the EFCC said, “The Ministry of Interior sent a letter to the EFCC on Tuesday informing the commission that it had mandated Maina to make himself available for questioning at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.

“So far, Maina has not made himself available and we are still looking for him.”

Azeez