The Pension Reforms Task Force which is led by alleged pensions thief, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina, has been approved for dissolution by President Goodluck Jonathan with immediate effect.
Even as the details of the dissolution are yet to be known, it was confirmed on Sunday that letters to that effect were sent to all members of the PRTT last week.
A reliable source informed our correspondent that the dissolution by the President is to make it easier for Maina to be prosecuted for allegedly refusing to honour the invitation of the Senate on the probe into the pension fund scam.
“The letter was given to them last week and it read that the President has approved the dissolution of the Pension Reforms Task Team. The letter was signed by the Permanent Secretary (Establishment and Records) in the Office of the HOS, Mr. Charles Bonat,” the source said.
It was also learnt that the Federal Civil Service Commission is putting strict disciplinary action against Maina for absconding without official leave, as well as the Ministry of Interior has been ordered by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to commence disciplinary action against him.
A verdict of guilty could find him being sacked from the civil service.
Meanwhile, investigations reveal that the delay in having Maina arrested by the policemen attached to him might have aided his escape.
Security sources said Maina could still be picked up if security personnel were keen on doing so, adding that he could be tracked down through his lawyer, aides and family members, with whom he must be in constant communication.
Checks showed that since he went into hiding, the suspect had organised one or two press conferences through his aides whom he must have communicated with either through the telephone or physical contact.
It was learnt that Maina was in touch with top government officials and senior security chiefs from December 2012 to early January, 2013, when he went underground after learning that he could no longer enjoy protection from his influential friends in top positions.
The Senate called for Maina’s arrest on December 12,2012, but this correspondent learnt that he had security aides consisting of policemen and State Security Service personnel throughout that month.
The PRTT chairman is said to have been enjoying official protection from top Presidency officials, who had convinced President Goodluck Jonathan that he was doing a good job and “that he was a victim of witch-hunt by the National Assembly.”