President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to immediately commence disciplinary action against Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina, for absconding from duty.
The endorsement was issued on Friday, after the president received a “status report” from Inspector-General of Police (IGP, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar) on efforts of the Nigeria Police to execute the warrant issued by the Senate for the arrest of Maina, who chairs the Pension Reform Task Force.
According to Section 030402 of the Federal Government’s Public Service Rules, absence from duty without leave is an act of serious misconduct punishable by dismissal.
In his report to president, the IGP stated that after receiving the Senate’s warrant for the arrest of Maina, he constituted a team of detectives under the leadership of a deputy inspector-general of police, to find and arrest him in compliance with the Senate’s directive.
Mohammed has since mounted surveillance at Alhaji Maina’s home and office but has been unable to arrest him because he has gone into hiding and stayed away from both locations since the warrant was issued, leading to his public declaration as being wanted by the Police.
He assured the president that ongoing “intensive search” operations for Maina would continue and that the Police would be unrelenting until he is apprehended and produced before the Senate.
“In his directive to the Head of Service, Alhaji Isa Sali, President Jonathan noted that the inspector-general’s report clearly indicated that Alhaji Maina had absconded from his official duties,” Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati confirmed in a statement issued to Huhuonline.com.
“President Jonathan directed the Head of Service to act expeditiously on the disciplinary proceedings against Alhaji Maina and report back to him on actions taken.”
Only yesterday, Assistant Force Public Relations Officer of the Police, Mr. Frank Mba disclosed that men of the Nigerian Police Force have begun a manhunt for Maina.
“We are irrevocably committed to arresting Maina,” he had said. “As soon as we lay our hands on him, we will arrest and take him before the Senate.”.
