EFCC Declares Ex-Pension Boss Maina Wanted Again

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

The anti-graft agency announced the development in a notice issued on Wednesday and signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

The EFCC urged members of the public with information about Maina’s whereabouts to contact any of its offices or the nearest police station and other security agencies.

The Commission identified Maina as the subject of an investigation involving the alleged receipt of stolen property but did not provide further details on the latest case in its public notice.

The declaration comes against the background of Maina’s long-running legal battles involving pension funds and money laundering.

Maina was convicted by a Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2021 on money laundering charges involving more than N2 billion. He was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment, with the sentence running concurrently.

The Court of Appeal subsequently upheld his conviction and sentence in 2023.

Maina had earlier fled Nigeria while facing investigation and was later arrested in Niger Republic following an international arrest notice before being returned to Nigeria to face trial.

He was eventually released from Kuje Correctional Centre after serving his sentence.

However, Maina has continued to face legal proceedings over other financial allegations. In a separate case before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, the EFCC is prosecuting him over an alleged N738.6 million financial offence.

The latest wanted declaration therefore represents a fresh development in the former pension official’s prolonged legal troubles.

The EFCC called on anyone with credible information about Maina’s whereabouts to provide such information to the Commission or relevant security agencies.

The Commission’s latest action also underscores its continued pursuit of cases involving alleged proceeds of crime and financial misconduct.

Maina has previously denied wrongdoing in matters relating to his activities as pension reform task force chairman and has challenged aspects of the allegations against him.