The Presidency on Thursday said the international police (INTERPOL) and a Magistrate Court in Abuja have issued fresh arrest warrants on wanted ex-chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this while speaking with journalists.

Background:

• Maina was dismissed in 2013 by the Federal Civil Service Commission following a recommendation by the Office of the Head of Service.
• He was accused of massive pension fraud scheme amounting to more than N100 billion.
• Maina sued the Senate, after the upper chamber issued an arrest warrant against him.
• Maina was dismissed by the Head of Service for allegedly absconding from duty and attempting to evade arrest and charged to court.
• Reports recently emerged that Maina has returned to the country, now works with the government and has been promoted.
• However, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered his immediate disengagement from office and also queried the Head of Service over his reinstatement.
• The EFCC stormed a mansion in Abuja belonging to Maina, who is till on its wanted list.
• Winifred, Oyo-Ita, head of service also denied any complicity in the reinstatement of Maina.
• The EFCC recently sealed four houses and 2 companies belonging to Maina.

What Shehu said:

Shehu said Maina’s investigation has gone beyond his reinstatement and promotion.

He said, “Maina’s investigation has been expanded. This is beyond reinstatement. It has gone beyond that.

“You know that the INTERPOL has just issued an international warrant on him. A Nigerian court has also issued yet another warrant of arrest.

“All those cases involving Steve Oronsaye (former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation) that are ongoing, you know Maina is also involved. Law enforcement agencies are looking at that too.

“You are also aware that the Senate is also carrying out its own investigation on the matter.

“The matter is being investigated from all fronts. The EFCC, for example,  is discovering more and more properties and its officials are sealing them. They are also looking at banks and all that.

“In fact, this investigation will also touch some foreign countries.”

Azeez