Former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms Abdulrasheed Maina has received an award from the Garki branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja, years after his conviction over the diversion of pension funds.
Mr Maina was honoured with the Rule of Law and Courage Award at an event held on Jimmy Carter Street, Asokoro, Abuja, on Thursday.
He appeared at the event wearing a muffler bearing the inscription, “Patron, NBA Garki Branch.”
While speaking at the event, Maina called for a renewed investigation into Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, claiming that funds allegedly linked to Malami represent only a fraction of what could be recovered.
“What the government has seen so far may only be a fraction,” Maina said. “Malami should be properly prosecuted and investigated again. There must be accountability, transparency and the rule of law.”
He said events surrounding his conviction occurred under the previous administration and expressed confidence in the current government’s handling of accountability issues.
Malami is currently facing trial alongside his son and wife over allegations of money laundering.
He was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, granted bail and later rearrested by the State Security Service.
A federal high court in Abuja granted him bail in the sum of N500 million on January 7.
Maina was appointed in 2010 under the Goodluck Jonathan administration to lead reforms in the pension system, including biometric verification of pensioners.
The EFCC later accused him of diverting public funds through fraudulent contracts and the use of fictitious bank accounts operated by relatives.
In charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/256/2019, the EFCC alleged that Maina laundered pension funds through accounts linked to Common Input Property and Investment Ltd.
The company was convicted alongside him and ordered to be wound up. Three of his siblings testified for the prosecution, stating that their details were used to open accounts for the transactions.
The EFCC also alleged that funds passed through accounts in United Bank for Africa and Fidelity Bank Plc.
Maina fled Nigeria in 2013 and was declared wanted before being arrested in Niger Republic, extradited to Nigeria and prosecuted.
In November 2021, he was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment for money laundering involving about N2 billion in pension funds.
His conviction was upheld on appeal. In 2024, 23 properties linked to him were forfeited to the federal government.
His son, Faisal Maina, was also convicted, with the Court of Appeal affirming a 14-year jail term in November 2022.
At the NBA event, Maina denied wrongdoing and claimed that officials of the previous administration targeted him.
He said he was flown out of Nigeria for medical treatment in 2017 and later arrested in Niger Republic for jumping bail.
He also alleged that senior government officials, including the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Kemi Adeosun, Babagana Monguno and Malami, met him in Abu Dhabi and urged him to return to Nigeria under a whistleblower arrangement to help recover public funds.
Maina claimed he assisted in the recovery of funds and assets worth trillions of naira and dollars but said the agreement was not honoured. He questioned the management of recovered assets and denied being a signatory to any pension-related account.
It was unclear when Maina left prison, but an associate said he completed his sentence and returned home in February 2025 based on correctional service records.
Thursday’s event marked one of his first public appearances since his release.
