The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Abdularasheed Maina, former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, wanted. Maina, 61, is an indigene of Biu in Borno State. The EFCC published a wanted notice on its official handle, signed by Dele Oyewale, its Head of Media and Publicity. The notice stated that Maina is wanted in connection with an alleged case of receiving stolen property.
According to the EFCC, Maina's photograph appears in the wanted notice. The commission urged members of the public with information about Maina's whereabouts to assist in locating him. The public can provide information to the EFCC's offices in various locations, including Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, or Abuja.
The EFCC also provided alternative channels for providing information, including a designated telephone line and email address, [email protected] . Additionally, members of the public can provide information to the nearest police station or other security agencies. However, the EFCC notice did not provide further details about the alleged stolen property case or indicate when the alleged offence occurred.
This development is linked to Maina's long-running legal troubles over allegations relating to pension funds. Maina had previously been declared wanted by the EFCC after he failed to appear for trial in a case involving alleged N2 billion fraud linked to the pension reform programme. He was subsequently arrested in Niger Republic in 2019 and brought back to Nigeria to face trial.
In November 2021, a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted Maina and sentenced him to eight years in prison for money laundering offences. Reports on the case said the prosecution had linked him to the handling of funds allegedly derived from unlawful activities. The conviction was a significant development in the case against Maina.
The Nigerian Correctional Service later disclosed that Maina was released from custody on February 25, 2025, after serving part of his sentence. The service attributed his release to good conduct in prison and said the decision was made in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Maina's release was a result of his behavior while in custody.
The EFCC's latest declaration is a renewed effort to bring Maina to justice. The commission is seeking the public's assistance in locating him. Maina's case has been ongoing for several years, with multiple developments and convictions. The EFCC's efforts to bring him to justice continue.
Key points
- The EFCC has declared Abdularasheed Maina wanted over an alleged case of receiving stolen property.
- Maina was previously convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison for money laundering offences in 2021.
- Maina was released from custody on February 25, 2025, after serving part of his sentence.
