Pension Fraud: How Nigerians Reacted To Conviction Of Maina’s Son

Nigerians on social media have expressed their opinions about the sentencing of Faisal Maina, the son of the embattled former Chairman of the Pension Reformed Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina.

THE WHISTLER reported that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday convicted Faisal on three-count charge bordering on money laundering.

Among other things, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had alleged that he “controlled an aggregate sum of N58, 111,585.00 (Fifty-eight Million, One Hundred and Eleven Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty-five Naira) only, paid through the United Bank for Africa (UBA) account of Alh. Faisal Abdullahi Farms, when you reasonably ought to have known that the said funds formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: corruption of one Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, who is facing a separate charge and thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as (amended) and punishable under Section15(3) and (4) of the same Act.”

In his judgement, visiting judge, Okong Abang held on Thursday that the EFCC had established its evidence against Faisal.

The defendeant was said to have fled the country while his trial was ongoing thereby jumping bail.

The judge subsequently sentenced him to 5 years for Count 1, 14 years for Count 2 and 5 years for Count 3.

But he added that the terms would run concurrently (implying 14 years).

Below are what Nigerians stated about the verdict via Facebook:

Myke A Udefi : “Enemies of the nation”

Lawani Kingwinner : “Kalu was given 12 years but now he’s working free because of some useless court injunction”

Raymond Akujobi: “Judge Okong Abang you are impressing me, infact you are the best thing that has happened in this government”

Jonas Ogumbe: “He will end up serving only 24 days and injunction will dilute the case to nothing. This is naija.”

Joseph Mongike : “A victim of absolute power”

Osundele Taiwo: “Happiest news to hear lately”

Hope ThankGod: “The only no nonsense judge in Nigeria as of today”

Saliu Ayoade: “Useless son,like father like son”

Ifesanya Bolarinde: “They should give him life imprisonment”

Bosun Animashaun : “I read the story the boy is out of the country but the judge just passed the judgment to air.”

Kuha Super : “Like father like son”

Unstopable King : “That is good”

Ikechukwu Agbedo : “Seriously , wow.”

Oscar Lops: “This one sweet me”

Idris Musa: “That’s good”