Sensational & Malicious’ – Maina Vows Legal Fight Over Pension Fraud Coverage

Abdulrasheed Maina, the former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms who was convicted for laundering ₦2 billion in pension funds, has threatened legal action against Premium Times for describing him as a “pension thief.”

According to Ireporter Online, Maina’s lawyer, Emmanuel Ekwe, in a letter dated Monday, accused the newspaper of publishing defamatory content and demanded a retraction and public apology within seven days. The letter warned that failure to comply would prompt the commencement of legal proceedings.

The dispute stems from a report noting that Maina, who was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2021, recently received an award from the Garki Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association. Ekwe described the publication as “sensational, malicious and defamatory,” taking particular issue with the repeated use of the term “pension thief.”

In the letter titled “Re: Defamatory Publication Concerning Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina – Demand for Retraction, Apology and Publication of Corrective Statement,” the lawyer demanded immediate removal of the article from all Premium Times platforms, publication of an unreserved apology, issuance of a corrective statement confirming that Maina lawfully completed his sentence, and assurances that such defamatory language would not be repeated.

“Unless these demands are met within seven days, our client will commence legal proceedings against Premium Times, the author, and all responsible parties, seeking damages and injunctive reliefs,” the letter stated.

Following public criticism, the national leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association distanced itself from the award given to Maina. NBA President Afam Osigwe condemned the recognition, describing it as damaging to the legal profession and announced disciplinary proceedings against the Garki Branch chairman, Anthony Ojo.

Maina was appointed during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to oversee pension reforms through biometric verification. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission reported that he diverted billions of naira through fraudulent contracts and fictitious bank accounts, some operated using relatives’ identities.

In November 2021, Justice Okon Abang sentenced Maina to eight years’ imprisonment, noting the “sordid, immoral and morbid” nature of the case and highlighting that some pensioners suffered and died while awaiting their entitlements.

Responding to the threat, Premium Times Managing Editor Idris Akinbajo stated that the publication stood by its report, emphasizing the media’s role in reporting accurately and holding public officials accountable.