INTERPOL has issued fresh warrant for Maina’s arrest, says Garba Shehu

Garba Shehu, spokesman to President Muhammadu Buhari, says INTERPOL has issued a new warrant for the arrest of Abdulrasheed Maina, ex-chairman of Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT).

INTERPOL first issued a warrant for Maina’s arrest in 2016 when he fled Nigeria after being declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was at that time accused of alleged N2billion fraud in the pension scheme.

Maina, however, returned to the country and got reinstated into civil service under controversial circumstances — a development that was criticised by many Nigerians.

Speaking on a Channels TV programme on Thursday, Shehu said Buhari has received all the reports concerning Maina and is going to take a decision.

He also said the presidency welcomes investigation from “anyone” on Maina’s case.

“This issue is a big one; it is expanding. And we welcome investigation by anyone — the senate, the house of representatives,” he said.

“In fact, the INTERPOL just put Maina on their wanted list now. A fresh warrant has been issued for his re-arrest.”

Shehu said Maina would be made to appear in court to answer to all the cases he was mentioned in, including the alleged pension scam.

He said: “You know there are a number of ongoing cases in the country which he was listed in and would have been part of. And now he is back home, so he is going to have his day in court and hopefully, a lot more people.

“People just sat down and were receiving cash from that man, knowing full well that it was the police pension that he was sharing. People who ought to investigate him, who ought to send him to trial, beneficiaries of that heist. In the coming days, the president will decide and all of these things will come out.”

Shehu said the EFCC is also finding out more concerning Maina, adding that investigation into the alleged pension scam is being extended to other countries.

“The matter is being investigated from all fronts,” he said.

“The EFCC, for example, is discovering more and more properties and its officials are sealing them. They are also looking at banks and all that. In fact, this investigation will also touch some foreign countries.”