The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Faisal Abdulrasheed Maina, son of former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, and handed him over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Security sources disclosed that Faisal, who had been on the run since 2020, was tracked down and arrested by DSS operatives in the Karsana area of Abuja following intelligence reports indicating that he had secretly returned to Nigeria.
“His arrest followed credible intelligence which indicated that Faisal had secretly returned to the country,” a security source said.
Faisal was previously prosecuted by the EFCC on a three-count charge bordering on money laundering and conspiracy. He reportedly violated his bail conditions and fled the country while his trial was ongoing.
The trial subsequently continued in his absence, culminating in his conviction and sentence to 14 years’ imprisonment by Justice Okon Abang in 2021.
Following the conviction, the court ordered that Faisal be arrested wherever he was found within Nigeria and remanded in a correctional facility to serve his sentence.
The court also directed the Federal Government to take lawful steps to secure his extradition should he be found outside the country.
His arrest and subsequent handover to the EFCC are expected to facilitate the enforcement of the court’s judgment and his committal to prison in accordance with the law.
“The handover of Faisal to the EFCC is expected to facilitate the enforcement of the court’s judgment and ensure that he serves his sentence in accordance with the law,” a source said.
Editorial note: Before publication, independently verify the reported arrest and handover, as well as the details of the 2021 conviction and sentence.
