The controversial reinstatement of former chairman of Presidential Task Force on Pensions Reforms, Mr Abdulrasheed Maina, generated ripples yesterday inside the Council Chambers of Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Abba Kyari and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, exchanged words over a leaked memo by the latter.
Reports had quoted Oyo-Ita, in the leaked memo, as saying that President Muhammadu Buhari was aware of Maina’s reinstatement and that she had warned the president against it.

The altercation ensued at 10:30am yesterday before Buhari arrived for the inauguration of the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha and the launching of the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem.

Both events preceded the weekly cabinet meeting.

The scenario was witnessed by Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, heads of military and paramilitary agencies as well as friends and relations of the new SGF.

No sooner had the Head of Service arrived the Council Chambers than the Chief of Staff took her up on the leaked memo.

Oyo-Ita was overheard saying angrily that she had reached the peak of her career in the civil service and that she is not an elected official.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was seated next to Kyari, quickly waded in and engaged the Chief of Staff and the Head of Service in a tête-a-tête that lasted about five minutes.

The audience, including cabinet members, watched as the arguments got hotter in spite of the intervention by the vice president.

The new Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha and National Security Adviser, Mr Babagana Monguno, succeeded in calming frayed nerves before Buhari arrived at 10:43am.

Last Monday, the embattled former pension boss was disengaged from service and as directed by the president, Oyo-Ita had submitted a report to Kyari on the circumstances surrounding his (Maina’s) recall and posting to the Ministry of Interior.

Maina had, as an assistant director in the civil service, fled Nigeria in 2015 after being indicted by the Senate Committee on Public Service for allegedly perpetrating fraud to the tune of billions of naira.

The ex-pension boss returned to the country and was posted to the Ministry of Interior and given a double promotion.

Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission had penultimate Sunday said Maina remained wanted “for offences bordering on Procurement Fraud and Obtaining by False Pretence.” 

Daily Trust