Seven operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been arrested in connection with a plot to smuggle former Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT) chairman AbdulRasheed Maina out of the anti-graft agency’s custody.
They are undergoing investigation along with a woman, Zainab Abbas, to determine their involvement in the plot.
Maina is being detained by the anti-graft agency which is probing him for alleged N2.1 billion fraud.
An official of the agency alleged on Monday that Zainab Abbas, who visited Maina, coordinated the failed attempt to spirit Maina out of custody.
According to the source, the seven EFCC men were on duty when the plot was to be carried out.
The source added: “Intelligence was received about the plot on October 17.
“That night, one Zainab Abbas was smuggled into the visitors’ area to meet with Maina. She was with her telephone.
“She was alleged to be making efforts to procure some purported military personnel to execute the plan to get Maina out in a commando style.
“It could not be immediately ascertained if Maina was in the picture of what was being planned or if Zainab was contracted by members of pension syndicate to set Maina free.
“Operatives on duty that night were arrested, questioned and detained. They are being investigated for suspected complicity
“But contrary to the rules, Zainab was allowed to use her phone during an audience with Maina.”
The source added: “The Acting Chairman of EFCC has ordered additional security measures around Maina in the facility where he is.
“All his visitors will henceforth be subjected to EFCC’s guidelines.”
“The is also undergoing interrogation. We believe the plot might also be a ploy by the woman to get money from Maina.”
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an interim forfeiture order on 23 properties traced to the former boss of Pension Reform Task Team, Abdurasheed Maina.
Justice Folasade Giwa-Ogunbanjo granted the order on Tuesday after hearing an ex parte motion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Moving the ex parte motion, the EFCC’s counsel, Mohammed Abubakar, alleged that the properties were suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities traced to Maina and his associates.
The court also gave an order directing the publication of the order of interim forfeiture in a national daily newspaper.
Abubakar said the newspaper publication was aimed at inviting any person or body with interest in the assets and properties listed in the schedule to show cause within 14 days of such publication why a final order of forfeiture to the Federal Government of the said assets and properties should not be made.
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Crime