Nation
Interpol Extradites Maina To Nigeria As Court Admits 18 Exhibits In Evidence
The Interpol has extradited former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrashid Abdullahi Maina, yesterday to Nigeria from Niamey, Niger Republic, where he was arrested having been declared wanted by a court of competent jurisdiction over a pending criminal trial against him.
It would be recalled that Maina was arrested on November 30, 2020, through the collaborative efforts of the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Interpol NCB, Abuja, and their Nigerien counterparts.
Disclosing this in a statement signed by Force spokesperson, DCP Frank Mba, the police said the team from Interpol Nigeria, led by the Commissioner of Police, Interpol, Garba Umar, having completed the necessary documentation requirements and other extradition processes, flew the wanted former pensions boss into Nigeria aboard an NPF Jet 5N-HAR and landed at exactly 1417Hrs (Nigerian Time).
Reacting, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, while applauding the trans-national/inter-agency collaboration that led to the successful arrest and extradition of the wanted fugitive, assured that necessary legal actions would follow immediately.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, admitted 18 sets of exhibits the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), tendered in evidence against the former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, who is facing a 12-count money laundering charge.
The EFCC alleged that the erstwhile pension reform boss used a bank account that was operated by his firm – Common Input Properties & Investment Limited – and laundered funds to the tune of about N2billion, part of which he used to acquire landed properties in Abuja.
It told the court that the Defendant used fictitious names to open and operate various bank accounts, as well as recruited his relatives that were bankers to operate fake bank accounts through which illicit funds were channelled.
Though the Defendant jumped bail since September 29, the court, gave the anti-graft agency the nod to continue the trial in his absence.
At the resumed proceedings in the matter, yesterday, the Prosecution, through its ninth witness, PW-9, Mrs. Rouquayya lbrahim, tendered the exhibits that included Maina’s assets declaration forms, pay slips, tax returns of all the companies linked to him, as well as 10 extra-judicial statements he made at the EFCC.
The exhibits were admitted and marked by trial Justice Okon Abang.
Led in evidence by the Prosecution counsel, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, the witness, who is an investigator attached to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Financing of Terrorism, AML/CFT unit of the EFCC, told the court that N500million was discovered in the bank account of another company that was traced to the Defendant, Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Services Limited.
“The company had no existing business. It was a briefcase company and the sole operator of that account was Abdulrasheed Maina. His name did not appear anywhere on the account documentation of the bank, even though he was in control of all the deposits and withdrawals from that account”.
The PW-9 further told the court that investigations revealed that Maina had within the period he served as chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, operated a dollar account, and had an inflow of over $460, 000, “mostly in cash.
“During search, we discovered documents of properties linked to Maina and his family members, about 32 of them within Nigeria. We also recovered some hard discs and flash drives in his possession, which contained details of some of his investments in Dubai and the US.
“Particularly in Dubai, investigation revealed that his company, North Rich Properties, owned over 50 cars that were used for transport business.
“Investigation also revealed that he owns a Villa in a highbrow area in Dubai. His wife, Laila, also owns a cleaning services company called Spotless & Flawless”.
The witness said the agency found out that the ex-pension reform boss paid $2million cash for one of the houses he acquired within the Jabi District of Abuja.
Lbrahim, however, regretted that the former owner of the property, Adamu Modibbo, died after he made statements to the EFCC.
“Modibbo was a witness we invited regarding a property in Jabi that Maina purchased for $2million cash.
“He came and volunteered his statement. Unfortunately, we discovered that he passed away few months ago.
“He died during this Covid-19 period”, the witness added.
Meanwhile, relying on Section 359(7) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the court, yesterday, granted application counsel to Maina’s company, Adeola Adedipe, filed to withdraw from the case.
Adedipe, who earlier represented the 2nd Defendant, Common Input Properties & Investment Limited, said he was no longer willing to continue in the matter.
The court, however, said it would not take cognizance of a similar application that was filed by Maina’s team of lawyers led by Chief J. K. Gadzama, SAN, since none of them was present to move the application.
“So far as this court is concerned, they abandoned the proceedings”, Justice Abang held.
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor
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