The Head of the civil service of the federation, Alhaji Isa Bello-Sali has directed the permanent secretary of the ministry of interior to initiate disciplinary actions against Abdulrasheed Maina, a deputy director in the Customs, Immigration and Pensions office under the ministry of interior.

In a statement from the Head of Service signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations; Mr Tope Ajakaiye said following the submission of a report from the Inspector General of Police to the president on the inability to locate Maina, it has become apparent that he has absconded from duty without leave, an action which carries severe penalty with public service rules.

Earlier today, President Jonathan directed the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation;  Alhaji Isa Sali, to immediately commence disciplinary action against Alhaji Maina for absconding from duty.

The President through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati stated that Section 030402 of the Federal Government’s Public Service Rules lists Absence from Duty without Leave as an act of Serious Misconduct punishable by dismissal and this was after the Senate on Wednesday threatened a showdown with President Jonathan over the retention of Abdulrasheed Maina as the Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team and his repeated refusal to appear before its committee investigating pension administration over allegations of his involvement in a N195 billion pension scam.

The IGP  said in his report that the police 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 publicly being declared wanted by the Police.