The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, sentenced the former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Taskforce (PRTF), Abdulrasheed Maina, to a total of 61 years imprisonment for stealing N2.1billion from the Federal government.
Maina was also convicted on counts 7, 8,9,10,11and 12 to 8 years,3years, 5 years,8 years, 3 years and 3years respectively with effect from October 26, 2019.
The sentences are to run concurrently which implied that Maina would spend only 8 years in jail from October 26 2019 which means he has only five years left to be in jail.
The court, however, ordered the forfeiture of Maina’s three landed properties in Abuja and his bullet-proof jeeps and other vehicles. They were to be auctioned and the proceeds paid into the Federal Government account.
His company, the ‘ Common Input and Property Investment’ was ordered to refund the sum of N1.8billion and $537,983 dollars within 90 days to the Federal Government. The judge also ordered the winding up of the company.
Justice Abang regretted that UBA and Fidelity banks, which aided Maina in defrauding the Federal Government, were not joined in the charge. He said their operating licenses ought to be seized for allowing themselves to be used to defraud the pensioners, some of whom have died while waiting for pensions.
Maina in court on Monday, after being convicted
Maina, who was remorseful after the judge convicted him, apologised for all his mistakes.
Meanwhile, there was a mild drama at the premises of the court after Maina was convicted.
When the officers of the Kuje Correctional Centre were taking Maina out of the court premises amidst tight security, some officers of the EFCC drove into the court premises with two vehicles, blocking the prison van.
It was later learnt that the EFCC operatives wanted to re-arrest Maina for another charge.