The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Abdulrasheed Maina, the former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, wanted over an alleged case of receiving stolen property. This development comes in the form of a public notice issued on Wednesday, accompanied by Maina's photograph. Maina, 61, is an indigene of Biu in Borno State.
This is not Maina's first run-in with the EFCC. He was previously declared wanted by the anti-graft agency in November 2015 over allegations of procurement fraud, stealing, and money laundering relating to the pension biometric scam. The EFCC has urged members of the public with useful information about his whereabouts to contact the commission or the nearest police station and other security agencies.
The notice stated that Maina is wanted in an alleged case of Receiving Stolen Properties. The commission has listed its offices in several cities, including Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, and Abuja, as points where information about Maina could be provided. A telephone number and official email address have also been provided for members of the public to submit information.
Maina gained national prominence as the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. During his tenure, he was involved in efforts to recover pension funds and tackle alleged fraud in the pension system. His efforts aimed at reforming the pension system and addressing issues of pension fund mismanagement.
However, Maina's tenure was followed by a major legal controversy. He was prosecuted by the EFCC over alleged money laundering involving funds linked to pension reforms. In November 2022, Maina was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja and sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for money laundering-related offences. The court also ordered the forfeiture of assets linked to the case.
Following his conviction, Maina appealed the court's decision. The EFCC's latest notice did not state whether the current wanted declaration is connected to his previous pension-related case or disclose details of the alleged stolen property involved. The commission's actions indicate an ongoing effort to bring Maina to justice and uncover the circumstances surrounding the alleged crimes.
The EFCC's efforts to apprehend Maina and uncover the truth about the alleged stolen property are ongoing. The public is being urged to provide any information that could lead to his capture and prosecution. The case highlights the complexities and challenges in addressing corruption and financial crimes in Nigeria, particularly in the context of pension fund management and reform efforts.
Key points
- The EFCC has declared Abdulrasheed Maina wanted over an alleged case of receiving stolen property.
- Maina was previously declared wanted in 2015 over allegations of procurement fraud, stealing, and money laundering.
- Maina was convicted and sentenced to eight years' imprisonment in 2022 for money laundering-related offences.
