ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Department of State Services has arrested Faisal Maina. He is the son of Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team. The arrest followed reports that he had secretly returned to Nigeria.
Faisal was arrested in the Karsana area of Abuja. He was later transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further action. The transfer is in connection with his previous money laundering conviction.
The Arrest
A security source confirmed the arrest on Saturday. The source said the DSS acted on credible intelligence.
“His arrest followed credible intelligence which indicated that Faisal had secretly returned to the country,” the source said.
Operatives tracked him to Karsana. He was apprehended and handed over to the EFCC.
Faisal had been wanted since 2020. The EFCC had prosecuted him over allegations of money laundering. His arrest brings renewed attention to the legal proceedings involving his family.
The Conviction
In October 2021, the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted Faisal. He was found guilty of money laundering. Justice Okon Abang sentenced him to 14 years in prison.
The court found that the prosecution had established its case. The EFCC accused Faisal of using a fictitious bank account to conceal funds. The funds were allegedly linked to his father.
The court examined transactions involving a UBA account. The account was in the name of Alhaji Faisal Farm 2. About N58.1 million was deposited into the account between October 2013 and June 2019. The funds were allegedly withdrawn by Faisal and his father.
Appeal and Reduced Sentence
The case took another turn in November 2022. The Court of Appeal reviewed the conviction. It upheld the conviction but reduced the sentence from 14 years to seven years.
The appellate court ruled that the trial court should not have imposed the maximum sentence on a first-time offender. The decision reduced the prison term while leaving the conviction intact.
What Happens Next
Faisal’s return and arrest raise fresh questions. It is unclear how long he had been in Nigeria before his arrest. It is also unclear whether anyone assisted him while he was on the run.
The EFCC is expected to establish the next steps. This includes the implications of the existing conviction and the appellate court’s decision. Any further proceedings would depend on applicable court orders.
Background
The pension fund scandal exposed concerns about the management of retirement benefits. The investigations led to scrutiny of financial transactions and properties linked to the Maina family.
Abdulrasheed Maina was prosecuted over the alleged diversion of pension funds. The funds were intended for pensioners. His legal troubles have continued to draw public interest.
For now, Faisal remains in EFCC custody. The commission has not yet announced its next course of action. The coming days will reveal whether he will be taken before a court to serve his sentence or face additional legal processes.
