Maina, former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Wanted in Niger Republic over Dollars found in his House in Niamey.

Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, now facing trial in Nigeria for stealing pension money, is also wanted in neighbouring Niger Republic after the authorities found $1.7million cash in his house in Niamey.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission revealed this in its affidavit to block the bail request for the former fugitive over ill-health. Maina is facing trial before Justice Okon Abang over a 12-count charge of money laundering.

EFCC said in the affidavit that Maina could run away from Nigeria as he has refused to submit his American passport. Maina and his wife are said to be American citizens and naturalized citizens of the United Arab Emirates.

EFCC insists that Maina is healthy and there is nothing showing that his purported/”reported” ailment cannot be taken care of in Nigeria by the complainant/applicant or that our medical facilities are inadequate.

Although his trial was expected to begin in full force on Tuesday, Maina was absent with a report from Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, claiming that he had severe headache. On Thursday, he appeared in court in a more dramatic manner: on a wheelchair.

Among others, EFCC said: “That the defendant and his wife have established businesses in Dubai where they are residents since fleeing Nigeria. They also own the home they live in Dubai. While the 1st defendant/ applicant owns and runs a car rent business (called North Ridge), the wife runs a cleaning services business (spotless and flawless cleaning).

The EFCC said it has uncovered desperate plans of Maina to take flight and leave the shores of Nigeria as soon as he is released on bail.