Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the Presidential Activity Drive on Pension Reforms, has alleged that the property at the moment linked to Abubakar Malami, a former attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, characterize solely a fraction of what was allegedly misappropriated.
Maina made the declare in Abuja whereas receiving the Rule of Legislation and Braveness Award introduced by the Garki department of the Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA). He argued that investigators have solely “scratched the floor” of the alleged {financial} path and insisted that much more can nonetheless be recovered.
In accordance with him, the worth of property recognized up to now doesn’t come near the total scale of the alleged diversion.
“Malami allegedly stole lots of funds. What the federal government has seen up to now shouldn’t be even one quarter,” Maina was quoted as saying.
He additional urged the authorities to accentuate efforts to hint and get well further funds, claiming the restoration course of ought to transcend what has already been uncovered.
Maina additionally praised the present administration for what he described as a stronger dedication to accountability, transparency, and due course of, contrasting it with the earlier authorities led by the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
In his remarks, Maina referenced figures related to the continuing investigation and questioned the dimensions of what has up to now been publicly mentioned, insisting that extra sources can nonetheless be traced to the previous justice minister.
“We will get well these funds from Malami. There are greater than what has been seen. What’s 270 billion? Sure, the federal government is doing the precise factor,” he stated.
Maina Recounts Alleged Abu Dhabi Encounter
The previous pension reform official additionally narrated what he described as a dramatic encounter overseas, alleging that prime authorities officers travelled to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to strain him to return to Nigeria.
Maina claimed that the group included the late former President Buhari; Kemi Adeosun, a former minister of finance; Babagana Monguno, a former nationwide safety adviser (NSA); and Malami himself.
He stated he rejected the request and additional alleged that these concerned later tried to affect him by way of his mom.
Maina said that the curiosity in his return, in response to him, was tied to claims that former President Goodluck Jonathan had advised Buhari’s staff about his alleged function in recovering ₦1.63 trillion throughout Jonathan’s tenure—an quantity he stated may very well be verified by former finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
“They begged me, and I refused to return to Nigeria,” Maina stated, including that Jonathan allegedly knowledgeable the officers of the restoration of funds and properties linked to his work whereas in workplace.
Malami Standing Trial, Granted Bail
Malami is at the moment standing trial alongside his spouse and son over allegations bordering on cash laundering.
The previous AGF was arraigned by the {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee (EFCC) and was later remanded on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
A Federal Excessive Court docket in Abuja granted Malami bail on January 7 within the sum of ₦500 million.