Former Pension Boss, Abdulrasheed Maina Arrested In Niger Republic

By Stephen Godonu

The operatives of Niger Republic intelligence service in collaboration with Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina, in Niger Republic.

Fleeing Ex-Pension Boss, Abdulrasheed Maina Arrested In Niger Republic 1

Maina, who had been on the run after he was granted bail on July 27, 2020, was re-arrested by Niger Republic security agency in a collaboration with men of anti-corruption agency in Nigeria on Monday evening, November 30.

A top intelligence officer told our correspondent  that the arrest was made possible due to an existing mutual relationship and security agreement between the two neighbouring countries.

According to sources in the EFCC, its operatives learnt of Maina’s escape to Niger about two weeks ago and have been working with that country’s security forces to effect his arrest.

Maina was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court in Abuja, for allegedly diverting public funds while he was the pension boss.

The former pension boss pleaded not guilty to the 12-count charge bordering on money laundering, operating fictitious bank accounts and fraud filed against him by the EFCC.

Maina, however, has not been attending trial since the September 29, after he was granted bail, a development that prompted Justice Okon Abang to order the arrest of Senator Ali Ndume who stood surety for the ex-pension boss.

But the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted bail to the Borno South Senator, over his suretyship for Maina, believed to have jumped bail.

Justice Abang, in a ruling, said he chose to grant Senator Ndume bail based on his record of good behaviour before the court, notwithstanding that the other grounds of his bail application failed.

The court had also warned a lawmaker that he is at risk of facing jail time if he is unable to produce Maina’s son, Faisal Abdulrasheed, who is also being prosecuted on a three-count of money laundering and false declaration of assets.