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.
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.”
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