JUST-IN: DSS Arrests Maina’s Son, Faisal, Hands Him Over To EFCC

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Faisal Maina, son of former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, following his reported return to Nigeria after years on the run.

According to TheCable, Faisal was arrested by DSS operatives in the Karsana area of Abuja and subsequently handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A source quoted by the publication said the arrest followed intelligence indicating that Faisal had secretly returned to the country.

Faisal had been on the run since 2020 after he allegedly breached the bail conditions granted to him during his trial on money laundering charges.

He was arraigned by the EFCC on three counts of money laundering but fled the country after being granted bail.

His trial continued in his absence, culminating in his conviction by the Federal High Court in Abuja in October 2021.

The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, sentenced him to 14 years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of money laundering offences.

The court held that the EFCC had established that Faisal operated a fictitious bank account with United Bank for Africa (UBA), which his father allegedly used to launder N58.1 million.

Abdulrasheed Maina, the former chairman of the pension reform task team, was separately prosecuted on allegations of money laundering involving funds linked to the pension scheme.