The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Faisal, son of former pension boss Abdulrasheed Maina, in Abuja, ending his six-year run from the law over a money laundering conviction.
Faisal was reportedly tracked down by DSS operatives in the Karsana area of the Federal Capital Territory after intelligence indicated that he had secretly returned to Nigeria.
He was subsequently handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
His arrest followed years of evading the authorities after he allegedly jumped bail in 2020.
Faisal’s legal troubles date back to his prosecution by the EFCC on a three-count charge bordering on money laundering.
In October 2021, the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted him and imposed a 14-year prison sentence.
The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, held that the EFCC had established that Faisal operated a fictitious account with United Bank for Africa (UBA), allegedly used by his father to launder N58.1 million.
The account, opened in the name of Alhaji Faisal Farm 2, was reportedly used to receive and withdraw the funds between October 2013 and June 2019.
Faisal’s conviction survived an appeal in November 2022, when the Court of Appeal upheld the guilty verdict but reduced his sentence from 14 years to seven years because he was a first-time offender.
His arrest comes amid fresh legal troubles for his father, who was released from prison in February 2025 after serving time for money laundering involving more than N2 billion in pension funds.
Maina, the former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, was sentenced to eight years in prison in November 2021. The Nigerian Correctional Service later said his release followed statutory remission for good conduct.
However, the EFCC declared Maina wanted in September 2026 over an alleged case of receiving stolen property.
A separate case involving allegations of receiving about N738.6 million in stolen funds has also faced delays in court.
Faisal’s transfer to the EFCC now puts the spotlight back on the enforcement of his seven-year sentence following his return to the country.
Don’t Miss Out! Join our WhatsApp Channel for instant news updates. Click here to join
