[JUST IN] Abdulrasheed Maina Arrested In Niger Republic

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

According to PR Nigeria, 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 is facing a 12-count money laundering charge levelled
against him and a company by the prosecuting EFCC.

The agency alleged that Maina, as chairman of the defunct
Pension Reform Task Team, used the account of the firm for money
laundering to the tune of about N2 billion, part of which he used
to acquire landed properties in Abuja and elsewhere

He, however, has not been attending trial since the September
29, 2020 proceedings, a development that Monday prompted Justice
Okon Abang of the Federal High Court to order the arrest of Senator
Ali Ndume’s who stood surety for Maina.

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 the senator
bail based on his record of good behaviour before the court,
notwithstanding that the other grounds of his bail application
failed.

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

According to PR Nigeria, 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 is facing a 12-count money laundering charge levelled
against him and a company by the prosecuting EFCC.

The agency alleged that Maina, as chairman of the defunct
Pension Reform Task Team, used the account of the firm for money
laundering to the tune of about N2 billion, part of which he used
to acquire landed properties in Abuja and elsewhere

He, however, has not been attending trial since the September
29, 2020 proceedings, a development that Monday prompted Justice
Okon Abang of the Federal High Court to order the arrest of Senator
Ali Ndume’s who stood surety for Maina.

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 the senator
bail based on his record of good behaviour before the court,
notwithstanding that the other grounds of his bail application
failed.