DSS Arrests Fugitive Faisal Maina, Hands Over Ex-Pension Chief’s Son to EFCC

DSS has arrested Fugitive Faisal Maina and handed him over the Ex-Pension Chief’s son to EFCC.

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Faisal Abdulrasheed Maina, the fugitive son of former Pension Reform Task Team chairman Abdulrasheed Maina, and handed him over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to security sources cited by Zagazola Makama, Faisal was arrested by DSS operatives in the Karsana area of Abuja after reportedly returning to Nigeria secretly.

“His arrest followed credible intelligence which indicated that Faisal had secretly returned to the country,” a security source said.

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Faisal had reportedly been on the run since 2020 after facing prosecution by the EFCC on a three-count charge bordering on money laundering and conspiracy.

He was accused of violating his bail conditions and fleeing the country while his trial was ongoing.

The trial subsequently continued in his absence, culminating in his conviction and sentencing to 14 years’ imprisonment by Justice Okon Abang in 2021.

Following the conviction, the court ordered that Faisal be arrested wherever he was found in Nigeria and remanded in a correctional centre to serve his sentence.

The court also directed the Federal Government to take lawful steps to secure his extradition if he was found outside the country.

A security source said the handover to the EFCC was expected to facilitate the enforcement of the court’s judgment.

“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,” the source said.

The development marks a significant step in efforts to enforce the existing judgment against Faisal following his reported return to Nigeria.

The EFCC is expected to take the necessary steps in line with the court’s orders to ensure that the sentence is enforced in accordance with the law.