Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — Abdulrasheed Maina, the former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), has regained his freedom after serving an eight‑year prison sentence for money laundering, sources confirmed this week. The development comes amid continued public interest in the high‑profile case that once captured national attention and underscored persistent concerns about corruption and accountability in Nigeria.
Maina had been held at the Kuje Correctional Centre in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where he was serving an eight‑year term following his conviction on a 12‑count money laundering charge involving allegations that he unlawfully appropriated more than ₦2 billion belonging to pensioners. The conviction by a Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2021 was upheld by the Court of Appeal in May 2023, affirming both the verdict and the sentence.
Although authorities have not publicly disclosed the precise date Maina left custody, multiple credible media reports indicate that he regained his freedom weeks ago and has since resurfaced in public life. Sources familiar with the situation told TheCable that Maina’s exit from Kuje occurred quietly, prompting both speculation and scrutiny given the significance of his case and his role as a former senior government official.
Maina’s conviction stemmed from a lengthy investigation and prosecution led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which had arraigned him in October 2019. The court found that Maina, who once headed the government task force on pension reforms, engaged in complex financial transactions that concealed his identity as signatory to multiple bank accounts where illicit funds were held. In handing down the sentence, the judge recognised the serious impact of the offences on pensioners, many of whom had died without benefiting from the funds allegedly siphoned away.
Following his release, reactions among Nigerians have been mixed. Supporters of anti‑corruption initiatives expressed surprise that Maina could complete his sentence and return to society after such a high‑profile conviction, while critics argue that his release — even if lawful — raises broader questions about the effectiveness and transparency of Nigeria’s justice and correctional systems. Some observers noted that the absence of a public announcement about the exact timing and circumstances of his release has fuelled speculation and debate.
Maina’s legal journey had been marked by dramatic turns, including periods when he was declared wanted by Nigerian authorities, extradited from abroad, and at times granted bail before ultimately being convicted. At various points, his case drew scrutiny over procedural issues, the conduct of investigations, and broader concerns about how corruption cases involving powerful figures are handled in the Nigerian judicial system.
Officials from the Nigerian Correctional Service, which oversees Kuje facility operations, have not yet provided detailed remarks on Maina’s release, and it remains unclear whether any conditions attached to his freedom — such as continued surveillance or restrictions — are in effect. The Correctional Service has faced past criticism over transparency in high‑profile inmate management, but the circumstances surrounding Maina’s release appear to align with the completion of his legally imposed sentence.
The former PRTT chairman’s release is expected to have implications beyond his personal circumstances, touching on public discourse about accountability for financial crimes, the pace of justice in high‑stakes corruption cases, and the broader efforts by Nigerian authorities to deter and punish elite wrongdoing. As Nigerians and legal analysts continue to reflect on the case, attention may turn to how findings from Maina’s prosecution and sentence serve as precedent for future anti‑graft enforcement and judicial integrity.
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