Maina Scandal: Malami what do you have to hide – Senate

The Senate has requested an explanation from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), on reasons he has been vehemently seeking to stop the probe by the two chambers of the National Assembly into how Mr. Abdulrashid Maina, an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Interior, was secretly reinstated into the civil service after being sacked.

The question was raised in a statement signed by Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Chairman of the Senate Committee, Media and Public Affairs.

The Senate questioned why the AGF hurried to the court if he had no “skeleton in his cupboard” regarding the reinstatement of Maina into the Federal Civil Service.

Abdullahi stated that: “We are wondering what the AGF is afraid of. When he appeared before our committee, he was well received and fairly treated. He 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, express our commendation to the judiciary for upholding the principles of separation of powers and insisting on a fair hearing.

“We believe that is the reason the judge refused to grant the prayers of the AGF yesterday (Monday) and 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 its report on time.

“The Senate believes Nigerians are interested in knowing the how, who, why and where of what is now known as ‘Maina Gate’. We definitely will not allow those who want the facts buried to prevail.”

Naija News recalls that following the denial of his involvement in the controversy, Malami had on Monday hurried to a Federal High Court in Abuja with an application to stop the legislature’s probe of the matter.

However, after hearing the application, the presiding judge, Justice Binta Murtala Nyako rejected it.

Justice Nyako hence directed that the AGF puts the respondents on notice in order for them to come and defend why the application should not be granted.

Consequently, the judge fixed January 15 for a hearing of the motion on notice.

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