Faisal Maina Sentenced to Seven Years Following Re-arrest

The Federal High Court in Abuja has formally ordered the remand of Faisal Maina, the son of former pension reform chief Abdulrasheed Maina, to a correctional facility. According to Channels Television, Justice James Omotosho granted an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to enforce a previously handed-down prison sentence.

Background of the Legal Proceedings

Faisal Maina was initially arraigned in 2019 on a three-count charge related to money laundering and the failure to properly disclose assets. While he initially entered a plea of not guilty before Justice Okon Abang, he subsequently jumped bail, leading the court to continue the trial in his absence. In October 2021, the court convicted him and issued an order for his arrest.

Following his conviction, the case underwent appellate review. On November 24, 2022, the Court of Appeal upheld the conviction but modified the sentencing structure. The original sentence, which had included a 14-year term on the second count, was reduced to seven years. The final sentencing structure, as confirmed by Justice Omotosho, is as follows:

• Count One: Three years imprisonment.
• Count Two: Seven years imprisonment.
• Count Three: Three years imprisonment.

The court has directed that these sentences run concurrently.

Enforcement and Re-arrest

Faisal remained at large for approximately six years before his apprehension. The Department of State Services (DSS) successfully located and arrested him on October 14, 2026, in the Karsana area of Abuja. Following this development, the EFCC moved to have the conviction enforced, requesting that the prison term officially commence from the date of his re-arrest.

Justice Omotosho granted the EFCC’s application, issuing a warrant for his commitment to the Nigeria Correctional Service. This development marks the conclusion of a long-standing legal saga involving the younger Maina, whose father, Abdulrasheed Maina, was also convicted in a separate money laundering case involving approximately ₦2 billion and has since served his time.

Conclusion

The commitment of Faisal Maina to a correctional center brings a definitive end to his period as a fugitive from the judicial process. By validating the EFCC’s application, the Federal High Court has ensured that the modified sentence handed down by the Court of Appeal will be served in full, starting from the date of his apprehension in October 2026.

<

p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Channels Television

Tags: EFCC · Faisal Maina · Judiciary · Money Laundering · news · Nigeria · ViralBrief