Mainagate: There Should Be No Cover Up – NUJ

BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has said that it is extremely alarmed by the avalanche of revelations in the media that the sum of £6 million Pension Funds was traced to a United Kingdom bank account being managed by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation.

The NUJ in a statement by its National Secretary, Mr Shuaibu Usman Leman urged the Federal Government not to succumb to any attempt to cover up what it described as “unpardonable wrongdoing,” especially now that it appears some powerful persons involved are using deception to deflect guilt

It stressed that such mind boggling-revelations call for urgent and incisive measures by the Federal Government in order to re-assure Nigerians that the Government is serious about fighting corruption.

Leman further said that the Union is seriously worried that only the name of the former Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina is being mentioned in official circles in what appears to be one of the most notorious acts of diversion of public funds in recent times.

He said; “We wish to unambiguously say that Abdulrasheed Maina alone couldn’t have successfully undertaken such a systematic misappropriation of huge sums of Pension Funds. He must have been instigated, sustained and protected by powerful individuals in Government and the financial sector.

“This must be the team work of a well-organized syndicate. We call on the Nigerian Media that have done so well in exposing corruption in the country despite all forms of threats and intimidation not to relent until all those involved in the scam are brought to justice.

“It is regrettable that thousands of Pensioners have died without benefiting from their entitlements while millions of others are suffering unduly because a few Fat Cats have misappropriated funds meant for these Retirees.

“This is the time for this Government to get it right or never.”