Tuesday 19 January 2016

Nigeria Signs Agreement With UAE: Two Options Left For Abdulrasheed Maina: Surrender To EFCC Or Declare Himself Dead As Alamsco

Victor A. Imhangbe
For a long time now; Dubai has played host to numerous dubious Nigerians fugitive who fled the country to evade arrest from Nigeria Anti-corruption Agencies. They laundered their stolen wealth in Dubai; the United Arab Emirates for safe keeping, purchase of luxury homes and condominium, hotels and real estate investments. Dubai is a choice destination to hide their loots for two major reasons: UAE is tax haven to foreign investments, not minding if the source of the funds is legitimate or not, secondly; due to the absent of Mutual Legal Mechanism that exist between Nigeria government and UAE that can aid stolen funds repatriation and prosecution of culprit who are hiding in the country.


Two notable Nigerians who were ex-governors from Niger Delta states has links with Dubai when a warrant of arrest was issued against them. The first was Mr.James Onanefe Ibori, the fugitive former governor of Delta State, who was arrested in 2010 and thereafter extradited to United Kingdom. He was later sentenced to 13 years jail for money laundering. The second who is said to be deceased for now was reported to be receiving treatment in Dubai before he hurriedly rush back to Nigeria; late Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha. He absconded, jumped bail from United Kingdom and find his way back to Nigeria in 2005. Experts suggested he disguise as a woman to avoid security surveillance at London airport.

Report says he was receiving medical treatment in Dubai when he heard the news of his alleged extradition request from United Government to face his crime. According to Premium Times report, few days before his death, there were reports that the UK government had requested Nigeria extradite Mr. Alamieyeseigha to London for trial over allegations of money laundering. It is yet to be seen if his death is real or it was self-declared one to evade prosecution.

The former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, PRTT, Abdulrasheed Maina who is  accused of siphoning over N1 billion from pensioners’ funds has been enjoying his loot in extravagance hotels in Dubai. This is after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on July 10 slammed a 24-count charge on Messrs Oronsaye, Maina and Osarenkhole Afe, a consultant who worked with the Task Team, as well as his company, Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited, which was used as conduit pipe to siphon funds from the pension unit of the HOSF’s office.

Maina is reported to have moved to one of the Middle East nations, following the arrest warrant issued against him by the Senate and the decision by the Presidency to discipline him for absconding from his duty post without permission. According to news report then; a top operative of the Nigeria Police, International Police Organisation Department (Interpol), reported that its counterpart in Dubai, United Arab Emirate, has reported sighting the embattled Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Chairman, Abdulrasheed Maina, who fled the Nigeria in 2013 and sighted in a hotel in Dubai.


The police source also added that Maina, when he was sighted, spotted a white caftan, with a white cap to match, a sunshade and a brown sandal.The source said he was seen coming in and out of Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai, but was not accosted because of two armed bodyguards with him.

Following the latest development today, Tuesday 19 2016; Nigeria government and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Abu Dhabi signed six agreements to enhance bilateral relations between them. According to Sahara Reporters which includes: Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance On Criminal Matters and Mutual Agreement on Civil and Commercial Issues, which will include recovery and repatriation of stolen Nigerian assets.
Nigerians are hardworking people, majority are graduates but are unable to secure a basic employment and the resultant effect is increasing crime rates, while the stealing class in government are busy looting and transferring their loots to foreign countries like Dubai; the united Arab Emirates. This is the right time for people like Abdulrasheed Maina to know there is government in place that has sworn to fight corruption. It does not matter how long he can run and how many hotels he switches on daily basis. The fact is there is no hiding place. An Ishan proverb says “it is impossible for a fugitive to grow grey hair while hiding in the bush”. There is no hiding place for Abdulrasheed Maina, not after he deprived the elderly their deserved pensions. There are two options left for him: Surrender To EFCC and face the law Or declare himself dead as Alamsco.


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