Former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, on Wednesday, broke his silence on years of legal and political battles, alleging persecution, intimidation, and attempts on his life.

Maina, who stated this while receiving the Rule of Law and Courage Award from the Garki Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), denied ever being a signatory to any account linked to pension funds in the country, adding that all relevant banking records and petitions had been submitted to relevant authorities.

The former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms said he has filed multiple petitions and welcomed an independent review of his claims, insisting that official records exist.

“Even after all this, I remain ready to assist Nigeria wherever I can lawfully and transparently,” he said.

He claimed that in 2017, he was invited to Abu Dhabi by senior Nigerian government officials, including then Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and urged to return to Nigeria to assist in recovering stolen public funds.

According to him, a restrictive agreement was signed, under which he claimed to have helped recover the sum of $1.3 trillion for Nigeria and secured additional assets valued at $88 billion.

He further alleged that the agreement entitled him to five percent of the recovered funds as whistleblower fees, amounting to $65 billion, but said he was instead pressured to share the money, which he refused.

“And from that moment, the price of saying no was paid not only by me, but by my family,” he said.

He added that his troubles escalated after he began asking questions about 227 recovered properties allegedly placed under government custody.

“Where are they today? Who is managing them? What has Nigeria gained from those properties?” He asked.

He claimed that, instead of answers, he faced threats, and that his son was accused of offences allegedly dating back to when the child was 11 years old.

“How does a system look at an 11-year-old child and call him a criminal – not because of what he did, but because of what his father stands for?” Maina said.

He further alleged that In 2019, when his son was 19, the vehicle he was driving was hit by 57 bullets, but he survived, claiming that the young man was later detained and brutalized by security operatives, describing the experience as a deliberate attempt to punish him through his family.

He alleged that he and his son were denied a fair hearing during their trial, claiming they were prevented from presenting a defence or making closing arguments.

“I am not asking for pity, I am asking for accountability and basic human decency,” he said.

In his speech during the presentation of award to Maina, who was also announced as Patron of the Branch, the Garki Branch chairman of the NBA, Anthony Bamidele Ojo said, the award was in recognition of Maina’s “dedication to public service, courage and perseverance in the face of adversity,” as well as his commitment to the rule of law, due process and justice institutions.

The Garki NBA boss said, Maina was honoured for exemplifying service guided by law and courage anchored in justice, adding that he “went through a lot in the hands of those bent on destroying the work he was called to do.

“We are honouring him for his efforts concerning pension reforms and all he has done and continues to do in the development of the country,” the NBA chairman said. (Nigerian Tribune)