N2bn Fraud: Fayose Questions Buhari’s ‘Corruption Fight’ Following Recall Of Wanted Ex-Pension Boss

The governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has blasted the president Muhammadu Buhari led government for secretly recalling the sacked and wanted ex-chairman of the defunct Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina.

Maina was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over an alleged N2 billion fraud he perpetrated under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

He thereafter fled the country in 2015 after being indicted by the anti graft agency.

The EFCC on its website, www.efccnigeria.org, retained a picture of Maina, asking members of the public to help fish him out.

The EFCC wrote, “The public is hereby notified that Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the EFCC for offences bordering on procurement fraud and obtaining by false pretences.

“Dark-complexioned Maina is allegedly complicit in the over N2bn pensions biometric scam in the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. He remains at large after charges were filed against his accomplices.

“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should contact the commission in its Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices.”

But in a shocking twist, Maina who had apparently returned to the country, was posted to the Ministry of Interior based on the recommendation of the Head of Service and was given double promotion.

In his reaction, Fayose, wondered why the Buhari administration, known for its fight against corruption, reabsorbed Maina.

Fayose said on his official Twitter handle, “Someone accused of stealing billions of pension fund was returned to the Federal Government civil service and you still think Buhari is fighting corruption?”

On his own part, human rights lawyer, Falana urged the EFCC to immediately charge Maina and prosecute the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, and the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, for allegedly shielding the suspect from prosecution.

He said, “Mr. Maina was declared wanted by the EFCC because of his indictment in a pension scam. Now that he has been located, the EFCC has a duty to charge him without any further delay.

“The Head of Service and interior minister who shielded him from prosecution ought to be charged with aiding and abetting the felon.

“Those who recalled and promoted the fugitive ought to be sanctioned by President Buhari to serve as a deterrent to others who may wish to sabotage the war against corruption.”