Police confirm Maina’s arrest, say he will be extradited from Niger Republic soon

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina, adding that he will soon be extradited from Niger Republic.

Maina was arrested in Niger Republic on Monday evening.

In a statement on Tuesday, Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mbah, said efforts were ongoing to extradite him to Nigeria for the continuation of his trial.

“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.

“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 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,” Mbah said.

Maina is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering to the tune of N2 billion.

However, the former PRTT chairman jumped bail which prompted Justice Okon Abang, a judge of the federal high court in Abuja, to order the arrest of Ali Ndume, the senator representing Borno South.

Ndume had stood surety for Maina so that he could be granted bail.

After about four days in custody, the court granted the senator bail on Friday.

Abang had said although other grounds of Ndume’s bail application failed, the senator has a record of “good behavior.”

The judge asked the Borno lawmaker to produce a surety who must be a resident of the federal capital territory (FCT) and has property in Abuja.

Abang said the surety must also depose an affidavit of their readiness to face the consequences if the senator absconds.