Some social media users have expressed anger at the lack of remorse by a former chairman of the now-defunct Pension Reforms Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, after a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced him to a total of 61 years’ imprisonment for defrauding the Federal Government and some pensioners of N2.1bn.
Justice Okon Abang on Monday said Maina was guilty of all the 12 counts filed on October 26, 2019, against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Maina was subsequently convicted to a total of 61 years in jail to run concurrently for eight years with effect from October 26, 2019.
Since the sentences are to run concurrently, Maina would spend only eight years in jail from October 26, 2019, which means he has only six years left.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of Maina’s three landed properties in Abuja and his bullet proof jeeps and cars. They would be auctioned and the proceeds paid into the accounts of the Federal Government.
However, many Nigerians were gutted by the disposition of the convict who beamed with smile after the verdict of the court.
In viral video clips and photos, Maina, who was led out of the court premises by prison officials, indulged himself as he smiled and waved at some of his associates who occupied the walkway.
Social media users also berated officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service over the seeming preferential treatment accorded to Maina, who wore a well-ironed butter-coloured Kaftan with a cap to match. The convict was also whisked away in a green-coloured air-conditioned Hilux vehicle belonging to the Service, and not the usual Black Maria used to convey convicts.
