The Nigeria Police on Thursday extradited Abdulrashid Abdullahi Maina, former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), to Nigeria after his arrest in Niger Republic on Monday
He was arrested in Niger having been declared wanted by a court of competent jurisdiction over a pending criminal trial against him.
He was received by men of the Nigerian Police Force at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Thursday.
Maina was arrested on November 30, 2020 through the collaborative efforts of the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, INTERPOL NCB, Abuja and their Nigerien counterpart.
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 2:17 pm.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, while applauding the trans-national/inter-agency collaborations that led to the successful arrest and extradition of the wanted fugitive, assured that necessary legal actions will follow immediately.
Maina, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering to the tune of N2 billion, jumped bail and went into hiding in September.
Consequently, Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, who stood as his surety was remanded in prison custody.
After about four days in custody, the court granted the senator bail on the grounds that he has a record of “good behaviour”.
Upon the news of Maina’s arrest in Niger Republic, Frank Mba, police spokesman, said efforts were being made to extradite him to Nigeria for the continuation of his trial.
At the trial (in absentia) of the defendant, on Thursday, Joe Gazama, his lawyer, filed a notice to disengage as a counsel in the matter.
Also, Adeola Adedipe, counsel representing Maina’s company, Common Input Investment Limited, withdrew from the case on the grounds that he is yet to be paid for his services and he is unable to locate Maina.
