Maina To Be Extradited Soon, Detained In Niger Republic — Police

The Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday said the former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrashid Abdullahi Maina, will soon be extradited to Nigeria.

Maina was arrested in the Niger Republic on Monday after jumping bail and declared wanted by an Abuja High Court.

He is facing corruption charges in Nigeria.

Senator Ali Ndume, who stood as surety for Maina was remanded in prison by a court before he was granted bail on November 27.

“Following the arrest of former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrashid Abdullahi Maina in Niamey, Niger Republic, the Nigeria Police Force is perfecting extradition processes of the fugitive to Nigeria to enable him face trial in pending criminal proceedings against him,” a statement by police spokesman Frank Mba, said on Tuesday.

“Abdulrashid Maina, who was declared wanted by a court of competent jurisdiction, was arrested last night, 30th November, 2020 through the collaborative efforts of the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, INTERPOL NCB, Abuja and their Nigerien counterpart.

“He is currently in a detention facility in the Niger Republic awaiting the completion of the extradition processes.

“The Force assures the citizens, that there shall be no hiding place for any suspect, no matter how highly placed.”

Maina is facing a 12-count money laundering charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Part of the allegations slammed against him is that he used his firm to launder N2 billion and also used some of it to acquire properties in Abuja.

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had ordered Maina’s trial to begin in absentia after he had jumped bail.

For his failure to produce the man he stood surety for in court or pay the sum of N500 million bail bond , the court had also ordered the remand of Ndume.

The judge, however, later granted Ndume bail.