Court Orders Maina To Open Defence Jan 26, 2021

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the former chairman of
the Presidential Pension Reform Task Team (PPRTT), Abdulrasheed
Maina to open his defence on January 26 to 27.

Justice Okon Abang on Monday held that Maina may call as many as
21 witnesses, as already indicated in his processes, to testify on
his behalf.

Maina’s counsel, Anayo Adibe had earlier applied for leave to
bring a no case submission challenging the trial before the
court.

But Justice Abang foreclosed his right to make the application.
According to the judge, having jumped bail in the course of the
trial, Maina caused the court to rule that his trial would proceed
in his absence, adding that the order was not challenged.

Maina was on October 25, 2019 arraigned on 12-count charges
alongside his son, Faisal on three-count charges bordering on money
laundering, and concealment of proceeds of unlawful act.

He was eventually released in June on a bail bond of N500
million or a property in Asokoro with Senator Ndume as surety.

But following his abscondment from trial, the lawmaker was
remanded at the Kuje Correctional facility.

Maina was, however, produced in court on Dec. 4, by security
operatives after he was arrested in neighbouring Niger Republic and
extradited to Nigeria.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the former chairman of
the Presidential Pension Reform Task Team (PPRTT), Abdulrasheed
Maina to open his defence on January 26 to 27.

Justice Okon Abang on Monday held that Maina may call as many as
21 witnesses, as already indicated in his processes, to testify on
his behalf.

Maina’s counsel, Anayo Adibe had earlier applied for leave to
bring a no case submission challenging the trial before the
court.

But Justice Abang foreclosed his right to make the application.
According to the judge, having jumped bail in the course of the
trial, Maina caused the court to rule that his trial would proceed
in his absence, adding that the order was not challenged.

Maina was on October 25, 2019 arraigned on 12-count charges
alongside his son, Faisal on three-count charges bordering on money
laundering, and concealment of proceeds of unlawful act.

He was eventually released in June on a bail bond of N500
million or a property in Asokoro with Senator Ndume as surety.

But following his abscondment from trial, the lawmaker was
remanded at the Kuje Correctional facility.

Maina was, however, produced in court on Dec. 4, by security
operatives after he was arrested in neighbouring Niger Republic and
extradited to Nigeria.