EFCC declares former pension task force boss Maina wanted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has declared former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Force, Abdulrasheed Maina, wanted over an alleged case of receiving stolen property.

 

The commission has also alerted security agencies, including the Nigerian Immigration Service, and directed that Maina be arrested if found.

 

EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the development in a telephone interview, saying, “Yes, he has been declared wanted. It is today (Wednesday) we declared him wanted.”

 

The commission said the declaration followed Maina’s failure to honour several invitations extended to him by its operatives.

 

Maina, alongside his son, Faisal, was arraigned on October 25, 2019, on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering and concealment of proceeds of unlawful acts.

 

He was subsequently convicted by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja and sentenced to 61 years in prison over allegations relating to the diversion and concealment of funds.

 

The prosecution had alleged that about N2 billion meant for pensioners was stolen, with the court finding that Maina concealed his identity as a signatory to accounts opened with UBA and Fidelity Bank.

 

The accounts reportedly received deposits of N300 million, N500 million and N1.5 billion.

 

In its latest wanted notice, however, the EFCC said Maina was wanted in connection with an alleged case of receiving stolen property.

 

The commission described Maina as a 61-year-old indigene of Biu, Borno State.

 

The EFCC urged anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact its offices in Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja.

 

Members of the public can also contact the commission on 08093322644, via info@efcc.gov.ng, or report to the nearest police station or other security agencies.