EFCC: Declares Maina Wanted Again for Stolen Property

• The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Abdularasheed Maina wanted again over an alleged case of receiving stolen property.
• The wanted notice, issued on the EFCC's X handle, identifies Maina as a 61-year-old from Biu, Borno State, and urges public assistance in locating him.
• Maina was previously declared wanted, arrested in Niger Republic in 2019, and convicted in November 2021 for money laundering, receiving an eight-year prison sentence.
• The Nigerian Correctional Service reported his release from custody on February 25, 2025, citing good conduct and compliance with regulations.
• This renewed declaration highlights the EFCC's aggressive and persistent enforcement against financial crimes, even for individuals with prior convictions.

The EFCC's decision to declare Abdularasheed Maina wanted again, particularly after his conviction and subsequent release, underscores the anti-graft agency's continued aggressive pursuit of financial crimes in Nigeria.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has once again declared Abdularasheed Maina, the former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, a wanted individual in Nigeria. This new declaration stems from an alleged case of receiving stolen property, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal challenges faced by the high-profile figure. The announcement, which effectively means the EFCC declares Maina wanted again, was disseminated through a public wanted notice posted on the anti-graft agency's official X handle.

Signed by Dele Oyewale, the Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, the notice identifies Maina as a 61-year-old indigene of Biu in Borno State. The commission explicitly stated that Abdularasheed Maina is wanted in Nigeria in connection with the alleged receipt of stolen property. While the notice clearly outlines the new allegation, it did not provide further details regarding the specific nature of the stolen property or the exact timeline of the alleged offense.

The EFCC has issued a broad appeal to the public for assistance in locating Maina. Individuals possessing useful information about his whereabouts are urged to contact any of the commission's numerous offices located across the country, including those in Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, or Abuja. Additionally, the public can reach out via a designated telephone line, email address ([emailprotected]), or by reporting to the nearest police station or other security agencies.

This latest declaration by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission against Maina is set against a backdrop of extensive and well-documented legal troubles concerning allegations related to pension funds. Maina was previously declared wanted by the EFCC after he failed to appear for his trial in a case involving an alleged N2 billion fraud, which was linked to the pension reform program he once oversaw. This earlier incident established him as a Nigeria pension boss fugitive.

His previous flight from justice concluded with his arrest in the Niger Republic in 2019, after which he was repatriated to Nigeria to face legal proceedings. In November 2021, a Federal High Court in Abuja found Maina guilty and sentenced him to an eight-year prison term for money laundering offenses. The prosecution in that case presented evidence linking him to the management of funds reportedly derived from illicit activities.

Despite his conviction, the Nigerian Correctional Service later announced that Maina was released from custody on February 25, 2025. This release, occurring after he had served a portion of his sentence, was attributed by the service to good conduct during his incarceration and was stated to be in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The current wanted declaration, therefore, represents a second warrant issued for his apprehension by the EFCC, following his release.

The EFCC's decision to declare Abdularasheed Maina wanted again, particularly after his conviction and subsequent release, underscores the anti-graft agency's continued aggressive pursuit of financial crimes in Nigeria. This persistent enforcement action against a high-profile individual, even one with a history of legal battles and a recent prison sentence, signals a resolute commitment to combating corruption and financial impropriety.

This development serves as a critical reminder for legal professionals and compliance officers regarding the ongoing vigilance required in the Nigerian financial landscape. The repeated actions by the EFCC against figures like Maina highlight the imperative for thorough due diligence and robust risk assessment when engaging with individuals or entities who have a history of financial misconduct. It reinforces the message that past convictions do not necessarily preclude future investigations or charges, especially when new allegations surface.

The lack of specific details in the current wanted notice regarding the alleged stolen property case or the timing of the offense does not diminish the gravity of the declaration. Instead, it emphasizes the EFCC's broad mandate and its capacity to initiate new investigations based on emerging intelligence, further solidifying its role as a key institution in Nigeria's fight against economic and financial crimes.

This development signals the EFCC's continued aggressive pursuit of financial crimes, even against individuals with prior convictions. Lawyers and compliance officers should note the persistent enforcement actions against high-profile figures, reinforcing the need for thorough due diligence and risk assessment when engaging with individuals or entities with a history of financial impropriety in Nigeria.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers