A former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina, has been arrested by authorities in Niger Republic.

Maina was arrested on the evening of Monday, November 30, thanks to collaboration between law enforcement in Nigeria and Niger Republic.

The Nigeria Police Force says in a statement that "following the arrest of former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina in Niamey, Niger Republic, the NPF is perfecting extradition processes of the fugitive to Nigeria to enable him face trial in pending criminal proceedings against him.

"Abdulrasheed Maina, who was declared wanted by a court of competent jurisdiction, was arrested last night, 30th November, 2020 through the collaborative efforts of the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, INTERPOL NCB, Abuja and their Nigerien counterpart.

"He is currently in a detention facility in Niger Republic awaiting the completion of the extradition processes.   

"The Force assures the citizens that there shall be no hiding place for any suspect, no matter how highly placed."

'The pension thief'

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the former pension boss for alleged money laundering to the tune of N2 billion.

The EFCC declared Maina wanted in 2015. The former pension boss has been a fugitive since law enforcement began snapping at his heels.

In 2017, the Nigerian Senate accused Maina of defrauding civil servants of their pensions and diverting pension funds into his personal bank accounts.

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Maina has jumped bailed and failed to show up in court for his prosecution; a scenario that made Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja to order for the arrest of Senator Ali Ndume who stood surety for Maina.

The court granted the legislator bail last Friday, November 27 on the grounds that he has a record of "good behaviour."