Maina: Explain why you are afraid of investigation – Senate tells Malami

The Senate on Tuesday asked the Attorney General of the
Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami, to explain to Nigerians why he is
afraid of investigation into his involvement in the reinstatement
of Abdulrasheed Maina, Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on
Pension Reforms.

The Upper Legislative Chambers said the AGF should tell
Nigerians why he has been “running around the courts seeking to
stop the probe” by the National Assembly into how Maina, “an
Assistant Director in the Ministry of Interior, was surreptitiously
reinstated into the service after being dismissed.”

Senator Sabi Abdullahi, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and
Publicity Affairs, made the call in a statement he signed and sent
to DAILY POST.

Abdullahi said it was surprised that Malami who had utilized the
ample opportunity given to him by both chambers of the National
Assembly to state his case on the Maina issue is now the one going
to court to stop the legislature’s investigation.

He said, “We are wondering what the AGF is afraid of. When he
appeared before our committee, he was well received and fairly
treated. He indeed expressed his happiness with the protection
given to him by the committee handling the Maina case. Why then is
it very important and urgent for him to stop the investigative
hearing? What is the AGF trying to hide?

“Let it be known that the legislature has the power of
investigation on all institutions, bodies and individuals,
particularly those who access funds that have been appropriated by
us. We however expressed our commendation to the judiciary for
upholding the principles of separation of powers and insisting on
fair hearing. We believe that is the reason why the judge refused
to grant the prayers of the AGF yesterday and rather insisted that
the National Assembly should be put on notice and served all the
court processes so that we could enter our own defence.

“While we respect the position of the court and would respond
accordingly, the Senate has further directed the committee
investigating the Maina issue to expedite action and submit their
reports on time. The Senate believes Nigerians are interested in
knowing the how, who , why and where of what is now known as the
‘Maina Gate’. We definitely will not allow those who want the facts
buried to prevail.”

The Senate on Tuesday asked the Attorney General of the
Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami, to explain to Nigerians why he is
afraid of investigation into his involvement in the reinstatement
of Abdulrasheed Maina, Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on
Pension Reforms.

The Upper Legislative Chambers said the AGF should tell
Nigerians why he has been “running around the courts seeking to
stop the probe” by the National Assembly into how Maina, “an
Assistant Director in the Ministry of Interior, was surreptitiously
reinstated into the service after being dismissed.”

Senator Sabi Abdullahi, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and
Publicity Affairs, made the call in a statement he signed and sent
to DAILY POST.

Abdullahi said it was surprised that Malami who had utilized the
ample opportunity given to him by both chambers of the National
Assembly to state his case on the Maina issue is now the one going
to court to stop the legislature’s investigation.

He said, “We are wondering what the AGF is afraid of. When he
appeared before our committee, he was well received and fairly
treated. He indeed expressed his happiness with the protection
given to him by the committee handling the Maina case. Why then is
it very important and urgent for him to stop the investigative
hearing? What is the AGF trying to hide?

“Let it be known that the legislature has the power of
investigation on all institutions, bodies and individuals,
particularly those who access funds that have been appropriated by
us. We however expressed our commendation to the judiciary for
upholding the principles of separation of powers and insisting on
fair hearing. We believe that is the reason why the judge refused
to grant the prayers of the AGF yesterday and rather insisted that
the National Assembly should be put on notice and served all the
court processes so that we could enter our own defence.

“While we respect the position of the court and would respond
accordingly, the Senate has further directed the committee
investigating the Maina issue to expedite action and submit their
reports on time. The Senate believes Nigerians are interested in
knowing the how, who , why and where of what is now known as the
‘Maina Gate’. We definitely will not allow those who want the facts
buried to prevail.”