Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, the embattled former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team accused of embezzling pension funds said he has suffered “trauma and psychological pain” because of the warrant of arrest declared on him.
He has therefore prayed the Federal High Court in Abuja to award him N1.5 billion in compensation for embarrassment caused members of his family and himself.
The court has however reserved March 21, for judgement on the motion on the infringement of fundamental human rights brought against the Senate President, the National Assembly, the Inspector General Of Police (IGP) and 6 others by Maina.
Maina, is reportedly on the run for N195 billion pension scam. The Nigeria Police Force has since declared him wanted from his failure to appear before a Senate committee after repeated summons.
But Mahmoud Magaji, SAN, his counsel told the court to dismiss the preliminary objections of the respondents and go ahead to award the N1.5 billion damages in Maina’s favour.
Magaji maintained that section 122(2) (c) of the Evidence Act “states that the court can take judicial notice of proceedings of the National Assembly.”
“I urge you to discountenance their counter affidavit and order them to pay my client (Maina) the sum of N1.5billion for the trauma and psychological pain they have subjected him and his family to,” Magaji said.
This was in response to the respondents’ argument that the resolution of the decision of the Senate, directing Maina’s immediate arrest and detention, was not served on the Attorney-General of the Federation, as required by Order 10 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Rules 2009.
Mr. Ken Ikonne, counsel for the Senate however asked the court to dismiss Maina’s application on the grounds that it did not comply with the procedure of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Rules 2009, under which it was filed.
He said, “All the exhibits being relied upon by the applicant both in the main affidavit and further affidavit are uncertified copies of public documents.”
Counsel for the IGP, T. A. Ngoso, also opposed the suit and asked the court to dismiss the application in its entirety.
Maina is embroiled in a N195 billion pension scam which is being investigated by the National Assembly and he has refused to appear before the Senate Committee that is investigating the scam.
President Goodluck Jonathan has 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.