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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
An angry Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, reacted in a very unusual manner at the Council Chambers apparently over her leaked memo to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Her reaction was witnessed by those present in the council chambers for the twin ceremony of the swearing-in of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustaph and the launch of the 2018 Armed Forces emblem.
Council members who were seated for the Federal Executive Council meeting were also witnesses to the drama.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari were seen questioning Oyo-Ita, shortly before the commencement of the events which kicked off at 10:55am.
The shocking drama which lasted about 10 minutes was witnessed by Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, the Governor of Adamawa, Jibrila Bindo, APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police as well as heads of paramilitary services.
Oyo-Ita who is usually reserved and graceful was seen angrily gesticulating while trying to make her point in what was obviously a heated argument with Kyari.
The Head of Service went back to her seat and then rose again and headed straight to Osinbajo, who also engaged her in a chat over the issue.
The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, later joined the conversation after which the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation was seen calming the Head of Service.
She was later asked to return to her seat by the Deputy Chief of Staff Femi Ipaye, when it was obvious all eyes were on them.
A national daily had quoted Oyo-Ita, in the leaked memo, as saying that Buhari was aware of the reinstatement of the former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina.
Oyo-Ita was also quoted to have stated that she had warned the president against the controversial recall of the embattled former pension probe boss.
President Buhari ordered the immediate disengagement of Maina, 24 hours after Minister of Interior, Gen (retd) Abdulrahman Dambazau admitted that Maina, was posted to the Ministry of Interior by the Office of the Head of Service on Acting capacity to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of the Director heading the Human Resources Department.
Maina was in 2013 recommended for dismissal by the Federal Civil Service Commission following a directive by the Office of the Head of Service.
In 2012, Maina was accused of leading a massive pension fraud scheme amounting to more than N100 billion.
He was drafted by the Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2010 to sanitize a corrupt pension system.
