Maina Urges EFCC to Intensify Asset Recovery from Malami
Former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, has publicly called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to escalate its efforts in recovering additional assets linked to former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. This appeal was made during a media interaction in Abuja, where Maina was honored with the Rule of Law and Courage Award.
Allegations of Massive Misappropriation
Maina asserted that the assets recovered from Malami so far represent less than a quarter of the total funds allegedly misappropriated. He emphasized the need for greater accountability, stating, "Malami allegedly stole a lot of funds. What the government has seen so far is not even one quarter." He praised the current administration for its commitment to transparency and the rule of law, noting that more can and should be recovered to ensure justice.
Historical Context and Political Pressure
Recounting past events, Maina revealed that during the previous administration, top officials, including the late President Muhammadu Buhari, attempted to persuade him to return to Nigeria while he was abroad. He claimed they pressured his mother to convince him, partly due to former President Goodluck Jonathan's success in recovering 1.63 trillion Naira during his tenure. Maina highlighted this as evidence of the high stakes involved in asset recovery efforts.
Current Legal Proceedings
Abubakar Malami is currently facing trial with his family on money laundering charges. Recently, he was granted bail set at 500 million Naira, underscoring the ongoing legal battles. Maina's comments come amid this backdrop, urging the EFCC to leverage its mandate to uncover and reclaim more assets tied to the case.
This development highlights the persistent challenges in Nigeria's fight against corruption, with calls for enhanced enforcement and recovery mechanisms to uphold the rule of law.
