The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, wanted. The EFCC announced the development in a wanted notice published on its official X account on Wednesday, signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale. Maina, 61, is an indigene of Biu in Borno State and is wanted in connection with an alleged case of receiving stolen property.
The EFCC appealed to members of the public with information about Maina’s whereabouts to assist in locating him. The commission listed its offices in Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt and Abuja as places where information could be provided. The public can also contact the EFCC through its designated telephone line or official email address, [email protected] .
Maina has a history of legal troubles over allegations relating to pension funds. He was previously declared wanted by the EFCC after failing to appear for his trial in a case involving alleged N2bn fraud linked to the pension reform programme. He was subsequently arrested in Niger Republic in 2019 and returned to Nigeria to face trial.
In November 2021, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja convicted Maina and sentenced him to eight years in prison for money laundering offences. The prosecution linked him to the handling of funds allegedly derived from unlawful activities. Maina’s conviction followed a prolonged legal process over allegations connected to his activities while heading the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms.
The Nigerian Correctional Service later disclosed that Maina was released from custody on February 25, 2025, after serving part of his sentence. The correctional service attributed the release to his good conduct while in custody and said it was carried out in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The EFCC’s latest wanted notice concerns an alleged case of receiving stolen property, although the commission did not provide further details about the allegation. The agency did not state the nature or value of the property allegedly involved, when the alleged offence occurred or whether the new case is directly connected to the earlier pension-related proceedings.
The EFCC is relying on information from members of the public and security agencies to assist in locating Maina in connection with the latest allegation. The development adds another chapter to the former pension reform official’s legal history, years after his arrest, trial and conviction over money laundering offences linked to the pension reform programme.
Key points
- Abdulrasheed Maina is wanted by the EFCC in connection with an alleged case of receiving stolen property.
- Maina was previously convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison for money laundering offences linked to the pension reform programme.
- The EFCC is seeking public assistance in locating Maina.
