Real reason ex-pension boss is on the run - Aide

dimeji akinloye

November 1, 2017 7:45 PM

Maina's aide said although he does not know his boss' whereabouts, he would not advise him to come out of his hideout.

The embattled former Chairman of the defunct Presidential Task Force on Pension Reform,

Maina went off the radar two weeks back after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (ICPC) moved to arrest him massive pension fraud scheme amounting to more than N100 billion.

The ex-pension boss was dismissed in 2013 by the Federal Civil Service Commission following a recommendation by the Office of the Head of Service over the alleged fraud.

The Senate at the time, under the leadership of Senator David Mark, issued an arrest warrant against him.

Maina was said to have fled the country to evade arrest.

But news emerged two weeks back that the ex-pension boss had since returned to the country, reinstated and promoted.

President Muhammadu Buhari, however, ordered his immediate sack and also queried the Head of Service, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita over his reinstatement

Speaking to Channels Television on Wednesday, November 1, Fasakin said Maina is running for his life.

He noted that although he does not know Maina's whereabouts, he would not advise him to come out of his hideout.

ALSO READ: What the Head of Service should have done differently to avoid Maina scandal

He added that the ex-pension boss was shot at five times.

Fasakin said, "I would not advise him to come out because there was a petition against some members of the seventh Senate for having collected N3bn from some pension thieves.

"The petition is with the ICPC and the EFCC, we haven’t got the report up to this moment.

"The only way out, most likely, would have been for Mr. President, in his position as the President of the country, to inaugurate a commission of enquiry like Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Panel, do all the activities on the television, then we would advise him to come out."

Earlier, Maina denied the fraud allegations, saying he is being punished for stopping a fraud scheme involving N5.32 billion allegedly being stolen monthly in the office of the Head of Service (HoS) and Police Pension office.

dimeji akinloye