Why Was I Declared Wanted? – Maina Challenges EFCC To Explain Fresh Move

Former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina, has challenged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to provide details of the allegation that led to his declaration as a wanted person.

The EFCC declared the 61-year-old former pension task team chairman wanted on Wednesday over an alleged case of receiving stolen property. In its notice, the commission identified Maina as an indigene of Biu, Borno State, and appealed to members of the public with information about his whereabouts to contact the agency or the nearest police station.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Maina’s response was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Media and Legal Assistant, Emmanuel Umahi Ekwe.

His legal team questioned the basis of the EFCC’s latest notice, arguing that the publication did not provide sufficient details about the allegation against him. The team specifically sought clarification on the nature of the alleged stolen property, the transaction involved, the person or persons from whom the property was allegedly received, as well as the date and circumstances of the alleged offence.

The legal team said it would be premature to speculate about the allegation without access to the relevant information and urged the EFCC to make the particulars of the case available.

The statement further noted that Maina had been involved in several legal proceedings over the years and cautioned against confusing the latest allegation with previous cases or judicial decisions involving the former PRTT chairman.

Maina’s lawyers said they were taking steps to obtain and examine the relevant information before determining the appropriate legal response.

The legal team also urged the media and members of the public to exercise restraint, stressing that an allegation contained in a law-enforcement notice should not automatically be treated as a final determination of criminal liability.

The EFCC’s latest notice did not publicly disclose the specific property allegedly received by Maina or provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the fresh allegation.

The development adds to Maina’s long-running legal history with the anti-graft agency. The EFCC had previously declared him wanted in 2015 in connection with a separate pension-related case, while he was later prosecuted and convicted in a money-laundering case. He was also involved in another pending criminal proceeding concerning an alleged receipt of about ₦738.6 million in stolen funds.

For now, Maina’s legal team is seeking clarification from the EFCC before deciding on further legal action over the latest wanted declaration.