“There was no denial of fair hearing as the opportunity was given to the appellant to defend himself by the lower court. Given the foregoing, it behoves on the appellant to defend himself in the money laundering allegations,’’ Justice Daudu-Williams said.
Maina, the former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), was sentenced by Justice Okon Abang in November 2022. The judge ordered that Maina’s sentence would run concurrently starting from the day he was arraigned, which was October 25, 2019. Justice Abang also ordered that Maina’s company, Common Input Property and Investment Limited, which was charged alongside him, be wound up, and its assets forfeited to the Federal Government.
Not satisfied with the trial court's judgment, Maina approached the appellate court to challenge the verdict. However, the Court of Appeal upheld the lower court’s decision, and Justice Daudu-Williams declared that the appeal had failed.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), EFCC accused Maina of using fictitious names to open and operate various bank accounts. The anti-graft agency also claimed that Maina recruited his relatives, who were bankers, to operate fake bank accounts through which illicit funds were channelled. EFCC arraigned Maina on a 12-count charge and alleged that sums of N300 million, N500 million, and N1.5 billion were stolen from pensioners and deposited into the accounts.
The ruling of the appellate court is significant as it sends a strong message to public officials and others in positions of power that they will be held accountable for their actions. It is also a step towards restoring the public's trust in the Nigerian justice system.
In recent years, Nigeria has seen an increase in high-profile corruption cases, with many accused individuals walking free due to various legal loopholes. However, the EFCC, under the current administration, has been working to address this issue and ensure that those responsible for corrupt practices are held accountable.
The EFCC has been praised for its efforts in combating corruption, but critics have also accused the agency of being selective in its prosecutions. The agency has denied these allegations, stating that it is committed to fighting corruption without fear or favour.
The ruling on Maina’s case is a victory for the EFCC and a boost to its fight against corruption. The agency has promised to continue its efforts to ensure that Nigeria's resources are not plundered by corrupt officials.
Nigerians have welcomed the ruling, with many expressing hope that it will serve as a deterrent to others who may be involved in corrupt practices. They have also called on the government to strengthen the justice system and provide the necessary support to anti-corruption agencies to enable them to carry out their mandate effectively.