The former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Taskforce Team, Abulrasheed Maina, has been remanded in Kuje Correctional Center till the end of his trial.
Justice Okon Abang of the federal high court, Abuja made the order following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission prosecution counsel, Mohammed Abubakar.
This is the second time that former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Taskforce Team, Abulrasheed Maina will be remanded in correctional center.
The first was on 25th of October when he was granted bail to the tune of N1 billion and and later varied to N500m.
Maina, who is being prosecuted by the EFCC on N2bn money laundering charges had jumped bail and fled to the Republic of Niger.
He was extradited to Nigeria on Thursday to face his charges.
Also Read : EFCC produces Maina to continue trial at fed. high court
Maina was brought to court on Friday under strict supervision by officials of the EFCC .
This was as his lawyer, Joe Gadzama abandoned the case and notified the court of his decision to quit .
Maina’s new counsel, Adaji Abel, told the court that he was just being briefed and needed time to study the file due to the exigencies of the matter.
The prosecution counsel, Mohammed Abubakar urged the court to remand Maina in the Correctional Centre pending hearing and determination of the matter following his recent atitude towards the bail granted him.
Without wasting time, Justice Okon Abang said the defendant is on bench warrant and having jumped bail he will be remanded in Correctional Centre till end of his trial.
Maina’s last appearance in court was in July and has subsequently missed up to six court sessions since September 29.
His trial however proceeded in his absence following the court’s order of November 18, 2020.
With this development, the trial of Maina’s son, Faizsal may also go same way.
( Editor: Omor Bazuaye)
