“Law Over Power”: Ex-Pension Boss Abdulrasheed Maina Speaks Out After Prison Release, Alleges Persecution and Trillion-Naira Asset Recovery
Former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Dr. Abdulrasheed Maina, has broken years of public silence with far-reaching allegations of persecution, intimidation, and life-threatening attacks—just days after regaining freedom from the Kuje Correctional Centre, where he served an eight-year jail term for money laundering.
Maina made the remarks in Abuja while receiving the Rule of Law and Courage Award from the Garki Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), an honour that has reignited national debate around his controversial legacy in Nigeria’s pension reform history.
Maina Denies Pension Account Allegations
Addressing the gathering, Maina categorically denied ever being a signatory to any pension-linked bank account, insisting that all financial records, petitions, and documentary evidence backing his claims had long been submitted to relevant authorities. He stated that he has filed multiple formal petitions and remains open to an independent review, stressing that verifiable official records exist.
“Even after all this, I remain ready to assist Nigeria wherever I can—lawfully and transparently,” he said.
Abu Dhabi Meeting and Trillion-Dollar Claims
Maina alleged that in 2017, he was invited to Abu Dhabi by senior Nigerian government officials, including the then Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and persuaded to return to Nigeria to assist in recovering stolen public funds.
According to him, a restrictive agreement was signed under which he claims to have helped Nigeria recover over ₦1.3 trillion in pension funds and secure additional assets valued at about ₦88 billion. He further alleged that the agreement entitled him to a five percent whistleblower fee, which he said was later disputed after he refused pressure to share the funds.
“From the moment I said no, the price was paid—not just by me, but by my family,” Maina alleged.
227 Properties and Unanswered Questions
Maina said his troubles escalated when he began questioning the fate of 227 recovered properties allegedly placed under government custody.
“Where are they today? Who is managing them? What has Nigeria gained from those properties?” he asked.
He claimed that instead of transparency, he faced threats, intimidation, and what he described as targeted actions against his family.
Allegations of Family Targeting and Violence
In emotional testimony, Maina alleged that his son was accused of offences dating back to when he was 11 years old, describing it as punishment by proxy. He further claimed that in 2019, when his son was 19, the vehicle he was driving was riddled with 57 bullets, an attack the young man survived.
According to Maina, his son was later detained and brutalised by security operatives, and both father and son were allegedly denied fair hearing during trial proceedings.
“I am not asking for pity. I am asking for accountability, transparency, and basic human decency,” he said.
NBA Explains the Award
Presenting the award, Anthony Bamidele Ojo, Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch, said Maina was honoured for his dedication to public service, courage, and perseverance, especially in the face of adversity. Maina was also announced as a Patron of the Branch.
“He went through a lot in the hands of those bent on destroying the work he was called to do,” Ojo stated.
Conviction, Release, and Renewed Debate
Maina’s comments come shortly after his release from prison, having served an eight-year sentence following his conviction for money laundering linked to pension funds. His re-emergence has sparked renewed public discourse around pension reforms, asset recovery, whistleblower protections, and the rule of law in Nigeria.
Despite his conviction, Maina maintained that a credible anti-corruption fight must explain what happened to the funds and properties he claims to have recovered, insisting that detailed records exist and can be independently verified.
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