Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, has been sentenced to 8 years imprisonment.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had arraigned Maina and his son, Faisal, on charges of operating fictitious bank accounts, corruption, and money laundering, to the tune of N2bn.
Delivering the judgment, Okon Abang, trial judge, held that Maina stole over N2 billion belonging to pensioners, “most of whom have died without reaping the fruits of their labour”.
“I find the defendant (Mr Maina) guilty and convicted in count 2, 6, 9, 3, 7 and 10,” Abang held.
The judge said the former PRTT chairman is guilty of concealing his true identity as a signatory to accounts opened in two banks – UBA and Fidelity bank – by using the identity of his family members without their knowledge.
The accounts had cash deposits of N300 million, N500 million, and N1.5 billion.
His firm, Common Input Property and Investment Ltd., also standing trial, was found guilty.
Meanwhile, there was a commotion at the federal high court after the verdict was delivered, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) clashed with officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
Security personnel from both organisations had an altercation while attempting to take custody of Maina.
Following the sentencing by the judge, prison officials, who were already on standby in the courtroom and within the court premises, led Maina out.
However, confusion started when EFCC operatives insisted that Maina must go in their vehicle.
Disclaimer: Candid Reporters publishes news, information, sports, opinions, and Interviews. The site includes both reported and edited content. Unmoderated posts and Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Candid Reporters or any employee thereof..
