Fugitive: Maina extradited to Nigeria from Niger Republic to face money laundering trial
The runaway former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT) Abdulrasheed Maina facing a 12-count money laundering charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been extradited to Nigeria.
Penpushing reports that, the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba made this known in a statement on Thursday, adding that the fugitive was brought back from Niamey, Niger Republic where he was hiding after jumping bail from Federal Court in Abuja.
The police spokesman said Maina was arrested on 30th November, 2020 through the collaborative efforts of the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, INTERPOL NCB, Abuja and their Nigerien counterpart.
Penpushing further reports that, part of the allegations against him is that he used his firm to launder N2 billion and also used some of it to acquire properties in Abuja, but denied any wrongdoing
“The Nigeria Police Force has extradited Abdulrashid Abdullahi Maina, former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), today, 3rd December, 2020, to Nigeria from Niamey, Niger Republic, where he was arrested having been declared wanted by a court of competent jurisdiction over a pending criminal trial against him’. Mba said.
“Recall that Abdulrashid Maina was arrested on 30th November, 2020 through the collaborative efforts of the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, INTERPOL NCB, Abuja and their Nigerien counterpart,” the statement said.
“The team from INTERPOL Nigeria, led by the Commissioner of Police INTERPOL, CP Garba Umar, having completed the necessary documentation requirements and other extradition processes, flew the wanted former Pension Boss, Maina into Nigeria aboard an NPF Jet 5N-HAR and landed at exactly 1417Hrs (Nigerian Time).”
“Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni while applauding the trans-national/inter-agency collaborations that led to the successful arrest and extradition of the wanted fugitive, assures that necessary legal actions will follow immediately,” Mba added
Penpushing also reports that, Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja had earlier, ordered Maina’s trial to begin in absentia after he jumped the bail granted him, while Maina absence in court also compelled the trial judge, to issue a warrant of arrest against him.
The court also ordered the remand of his surety, Senator Ali Ndume, for his failure to produce the accused or pay N500million bail bond, but was later granted bail based on his record of good behaviour before the court.
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