Sadly, it has become commonplace to hear of episodes of misappropriation and/or abuse of power from officials holding positions in public offices- though such acts do not seem to be as emergent as at before. Many times, these occurrences are brought to public cognizance only to fizzle out into thin air without justice being served to bring the erring party to book as those that ought to so do, rigmarole about the whole process- and everything dies out with time.
The latest of such irregularities generating waves in the media, hovers around the former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, AbdulRasheed Maina who was recently reinstated [with honours] into Federal Civil Service as an Acting Director in the Ministry of Interior- his reappointment has since been revoked by the President- under untoward circumstances. Aside Maina himself, the two (2) key players that have been indicted in this drama, are the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and Interior Minister, Lt. General AbdulRahman Dambazau (rtd.)
Let us spare the thoughts of accusation of the pension fraud levelled against Main a [back in 2012] for a moment, and look at the role played by Malami. It was reported that Malami had circumvented the office of the Head of Service of the Federation as he sought approval for Maina's reinstatement letter after his appeal to have him (Maina) reinstated met a 'brick wall' from the HoS, Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita. He (that is, Malami) would eventually have his way through a certain Mustapha L. Sulaiman who signed the letter.
From the foregoing, one could see that Malami [who is the AGF and also the Minister of Justice] has not acted in accordance with the rule of law- not following due process- which he ought to have protected. Furthermore, considering the events that surrounded the dismissal of Main a in 2012, it can be drawn that Malami's action is indicative of one trying to subvert justice which is yet another dent on his 'esteemed' office. Shouldn't he had made Maina to face the law? It should be recalled that Main a had to flee the country while investigation [concerning the pension fraud] was still ongoing in 2012. So, rather than furtively bringing him back into Civil Service, Malami should have insisted that Maina clear the air over the mess he left unattended about five (5) years ago in order to prove his innocence- if he is indeed free from accusations against him. With Malami's desperate moves in this very scenario, one cannot but question his competence and/or loyalty to the offices he precedes over.
Although Dambazau's role in the whole saga is not so clear at the moment but he cannot obviously be said to be free from answering some questions since the reinstated concerns an office in the Ministry he is currently heading. How was it that the reappointment was not challenged before he (Maina) was confirmed for the position of Acting Director?
Another twist to the saga is the claim linking the past administration to what is presently unfolding even as the presidential spokesman posited that Maina is one of the 'monster' created by the past administration. For heaven's sake; how much longer will this blame shifting/shedding continue? The truth is that there are 'rotten eggs' in this administration that need to be cleaned up. Maina's reinstatement came about while the sitting government is ruling, and one needs not divert the Nigerians' attention to other intricate matters- at least for now.
Again, as the media is rife with speculations about the involvement of the presidency in all that is happening, it is expedient that the presidency comes out clean, and get to the very root of this matter without minding whose axe will be gored.
Matters of this magnanimity should not be stalled over like we are seeing with the cases of the former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo One, and suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal. Nigerians are waiting and looking forward for justice to take its right course- without fear or favour.