The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, wanted over an alleged case of receiving stolen property.
The anti-graft agency made the declaration in a notice signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Wednesday, urging members of the public with information about Maina’s whereabouts to contact any EFCC office, the nearest police station, or other security agencies.
According to the commission, Maina, 61, is an indigene of Biu, Borno State. The EFCC also provided a telephone number and email address for members of the public to submit relevant information regarding his whereabouts.
The latest development comes amid Maina’s long-running legal battles over allegations of pension fraud, money laundering, and other financial offences.
Maina’s Previous Conviction Over N2 Billion Money Laundering Case
Maina was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2021 over money laundering charges involving more than N2 billion.
The EFCC had arraigned him in October 2019 on a 12-count charge, to which he pleaded not guilty.
In his judgment, Justice Okon Abang held that Maina misappropriated more than N2 billion belonging to pensioners. The judge noted that some pensioners died without receiving their entitlements.
The Court of Appeal, in May 2023, upheld Maina’s conviction and his eight-year prison sentence.
He was subsequently released from Kuje Correctional Centre after serving his sentence.
However, his legal challenges continued, including proceedings before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Asokoro, where he faces allegations relating to financial offences.
Court Threatened to Revoke Maina’s Bail
On February 5, 2026, Justice Abubakar Kutigi reportedly threatened to revoke Maina’s bail after expressing frustration over what he described as repeated attempts to delay proceedings.
The judge’s remarks followed an application by Maina’s defence counsel, Mr Achibong, seeking an adjournment after presenting a hospital referral concerning the defendant.
The court reportedly observed that the referral did not indicate that Maina was suffering from any illness.
Justice Kutigi said the case had made limited progress over four years, attributing the delay to what he described as tactics used to stall the proceedings.
The judge also noted that Maina had not appeared in court for approximately four years and said the court was considering revoking his bail to compel him to attend the trial.
However, Justice Kutigi disclosed that he had obtained an undertaking from Maina’s defence lawyers that proceedings would continue regardless of whether the defendant was present.
Following the refusal of the adjournment request, prosecution counsel, Francis Usani, proceeded with the testimony of the 14th prosecution witness, Gogi Mohammed.
Maina Reportedly Collapsed in Abuja
The EFCC’s latest declaration also comes months after Maina reportedly collapsed while attempting to access his office in Abuja.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Emmanuel Ekwe, in February, Maina was said to have slumped after complications arising from an untreated knee injury caused him to lose his balance and fall.
According to Ekwe, Maina hit his head on a staircase and received first aid before being taken to a private hospital in Abuja.
His aide said Maina remained under medical supervision, adding that doctors had considered the possibility of an air ambulance evacuation if his condition failed to stabilise.
EFCC Appeals for Information on Maina’s Whereabouts
The EFCC has urged anyone with information that could assist in locating Abdulrasheed Maina to contact its offices or the nearest police station and other security agencies.
The declaration adds a new development to the former pension task team chairman’s ongoing legal challenges, which have spanned several years.
This report is based on the details provided. The EFCC notice, the current status of any outstanding proceedings, and the precise legal basis for the wanted declaration should be independently verified against the commission’s official announcement and court records before publication.