Maina seeks deeper probe of Malami, claims recovery of N1.3trn pension funds

A former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, on Thursday called on the federal government to expand investigations into former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over alleged large-scale diversion of public funds.

Maina made the call while receiving the Rule of Law and Courage Award from the Garki Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja, alleging that properties linked to Malami, reportedly valued at about N217 billion, represent only a fraction of the alleged financial misconduct.

He said, “What the government has seen so far is not even up to one quarter. My speciality is the recovery of public funds. I trace funds wherever they are. There are more than what has been seen. What is N217 billion worth of properties?”

He stressed the need for a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure accountability, noting that the alleged abuses occurred under the previous administration.

The former pension boss also claimed some recovered assets had been shared among senior officials, which he said caused a fallout involving Malami and other powerful figures at the time.

He recounted his tenure under former President Goodluck Jonathan, claiming that he recovered over N1.3 trillion in stolen pension funds and secured assets valued at about N88 billion—a figure he said could be verified by former Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Maina lamented the personal consequences of his anti-corruption work, alleging persecution of himself and his family, including a shooting incident involving his son in 2019.

He stressed that his fight was guided by principles and the rule of law, not personal gain.

“I am not seeking sympathy; I am demanding accountability, transparency, and basic human decency,” he said, urging Nigerians to support comprehensive investigations into alleged past mismanagement.

Maina also denied ever being a signatory to any account linked to pension funds in the country, adding that all relevant banking records and petitions had been submitted to relevant authorities.

“Even after all this, I remain ready to assist Nigeria wherever I can lawfully and transparently,” he said.

In November 2021, a Federal High Court convicted Maina of money laundering involving over N2 billion. He was arraigned by the EFCC in October 2019 on a 12-count charge but pleaded not guilty.

Trial judge Okon Abang ruled that Maina stole funds belonging to pensioners, many of whom had died without benefiting from their pensions.

Maina was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to 61 years in prison, to run concurrently from October 25, 2019.

Dissatisfied, Maina appealed, but in May 2023, the Court of Appeal upheld both his conviction and the eight-year sentence.

Maina was held at Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, where he served the eight-year jail term. It is unclear when he was released.

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