Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has reportedly sentenced a former chairman of the Pension Reforms Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, to a total of 61 years imprisonment for defrauding the Federal Government of N2.1bn.
According to reports, the judge stated that Maina was guilty of all the 12 counts filed on October 26, 2019, against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Justice Abang reportedly sentenced him on count one to eight years’ imprisonment, count two to five years’ imprisonment, count three to eight years’ imprisonment, count four to eight years’ imprisonment, count five to three years’ imprisonment and count six to five years’ imprisonment.
Further reports disclosed that Maina was also convicted on counts seven, eight, nine, 10, 11 and 12 to eight years, three years, five years, eight years, three years and three years respectively with effect from October 26, 2019.
However, it was disclosed that since the sentences are to run concurrently, Maina will spend only eight years in jail from October 26, 2019, which means he has only five years left.
However, the court reportedly ordered the forfeiture of Maina’s three landed properties in Abuja and his bulletproof jeeps and cars, which would be auctioned and the proceeds paid into the accounts of the Federal Government.
Also, His company, the Common Input and Property Investment was reportedly ordered to refund N1.8bn and $537,983 within 90 days to the Federal Government and also winding up of the company.
Meanwhile, the judge reportedly regretted that UBA and Fidelity banks which aided Maina in defrauding the Federal Government were not joined in the charges.
Abang made it known that their operating licenses ought to be seized for allowing themselves to be used to defraud pensioners, some of whom have died while awaiting their pensions.
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