The Nigerian Police has confirmed the arrest of former chairperson of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Maina. His re-arrest was by a joint effort of operatives of intelligence service in Niger and anti-corruption agents in Nigeria have in Niger Republic.
The Nigerian Police Force in a statement released on Tuesday 1st December 2020, on their official Twitter handle, said:
“Following the arrest of former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrashid Abdullahi Maina in Niamey, Niger Republic, the NPF is perfecting extradition processes of the fugitive to Nigeria to enable him face trial in pending criminal proceedings against him.
Abdulrashid Maina, who was declared wanted by a court of competent jurisdiction, was arrested last night, 30th November 2020 through the collaborative efforts of the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, INTERPOL NCB, Abuja and their Nigerien counterpart.
He is currently in a detention facility in the Niger Republic awaiting the completion of the extradition processes. The Force assures the citizens, that there shall be no hiding place for any suspect, no matter how highly placed,” the statement added.
Mr Maina is facing a 12-count money laundering charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Part of the allegations slammed against him is that he used his firm to launder N2billion and also used some of it to acquire properties in Abuja.
Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered Mr Maina’s trial to begin in absentia after he had jumped the bail granted him by the judge.
The former pension chief’s absence in court also compelled the trial judge, Mr Maina, to issue a warrant of arrest against him.