Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has on Thursday revealed that Faisal Maina, son of Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reformed Task Team (PRTT), has fled to the United States.
EFCC’s counsel, Mohammed Abubakar, informed Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, where the younger Maina is being prosecuted on three counts of money laundering.
EFCC alleged that the 21-year-old sometimes between 2013 and 2019, received the sum of N58.11million, being proceeds of a corrupt act by his father. He was also accused of failing to properly declare his assets before the EFCC.
Faisal is also facing a charge of illegal possession of firearm after he allegedly pulled a gun on operatives of the Department of State Service that arrested his father at a hotel in Abuja on September 30.
Abubakar said from the information at the disposal of the anti-graft agency, Faisal, who had earlier jumped bail, fled to the US through the Republic of Niger.
Read Also: Faisal, Maina’s Fleeing Son, Arrested After Jumping Bail
Earlier on Thursday, the trial judge, Okon Abang, ordered Faisal’s surety, Sani Dan-Galadima, who is a member of the House of Representatives to forfeit a property used as a bail bond.
Mr Dan-Galadima who represents Kaura-Namoda Federal Constituency of Zamfara, had entered into a N60million bail bond on behalf of Faisal.
Mr Abdulrasheed Maina himself is also being prosecuted for separate charges of money laundering to the tune of N2 billion at the court.
He jumped bail last year but was rearrested in Niger Republic and extradited to Nigeria.
Read Also: Breaking: Abdulrasheed Maina Extradited To Nigeria Following Arrest In Niger Republic (Photos)
Opposing a fresh bail application filed by Mr Maina, the EFCC had told the court that the former PRTT boss, with multiple citizenship, was trying to obtain a fresh passport with which to flee to the US when he was arrested in Niger Republic.
Read Also: Court Approves Lawyer’s Request To Withdraw From Ex-Pension Chairman, Maina’s Case
He was however arrested and repatriated back to the country to stand trial. Following this, Senator Ali Ndume, who stood as surety for him, and Adeola Adedipe, his lawyer, withdrew from his case.
