Abdulrasheed Maina, the disgraced former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms who was jailed for stealing over ₦2 billion from pension funds, on Thursday resurfaced in public, receiving an award from the Garki Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association in Abuja.
Maina, who was convicted and sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in 2021, also used the occasion to call for a renewed investigation into a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, alleging that more public funds could be recovered from him.
Maina was honoured with the Rule of Law and Courage Award by the NBA Garki Branch at an event held on Jimmy Carter Street, Asokoro.
He appeared at the ceremony wearing a muffler bearing the inscription, “Patron, NBA Garki Branch.”
Addressing attendees, Maina alleged that Malami, who is currently facing money laundering charges alongside his wife and son, had not been thoroughly investigated.
He added that alleged misconduct occurred during the previous administration, insisting that such actions would not happen under the current government.
Malami is currently standing trial alongside his wife and son over alleged money laundering. They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and initially remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre before being granted bail. He was later rearrested by the Department of State Services.
Despite his conviction, Maina denied wrongdoing at the event, alleging that powerful individuals in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari orchestrated his prosecution.
He claimed he was flown out of Nigeria on a government aircraft for medical treatment after jumping bail, only to later be arrested in Niger Republic and accused of fleeing justice.
Background of Maina’s conviction
Maina was appointed in 2010 by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to lead pension reforms, including biometric verification of pensioners.
According to the EFCC, Maina laundered billions of naira through fraudulent contracts, fictitious bank accounts and proxy companies, including Common Input Property and Investment Ltd, which was convicted alongside him and ordered to be wound up.
Three of his siblings testified against him during trial, detailing how their personal details were allegedly used to open bank accounts to perpetrate the fraud.
In November 2021, Justice Okon Abang sentenced Maina to eight years’ imprisonment for money laundering involving ₦2bn in pension funds.
Delivering judgment, the judge said Maina treated pensioners with “disdain and levity,” noting that some victims died while waiting for their entitlements.
The Court of Appeal later upheld the conviction, while Maina’s son, Faisal, was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment in a related case.
In 2024, a final court ruling ordered the forfeiture of 23 properties linked to Maina to the Federal Government.
It remains unclear exactly when Maina left prison. However, a close associate told Premium Times that he quietly completed his term and returned home in February 2025, based on correctional service calculations.
Thursday’s appearance was one of his first public outings since his release.