The former Chairman, Pension Reformed Task Team, PRTT, Abdulrasheed Maina has been released from Kuje Correctional Centre after nine months incarceration.
Maina was granted bail on Nov.26,2019 but remained at the correctional centre following his inability to meet the bail terms.
Maina, who was arraigned before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Oct. 25, 2019, on 12 count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC , alongside his son, Faisal, and firm, Common Input Property and Investment Ltd., had been in detention since the period.
In an application for a further variation of bail conditions, Maina had informed the court that Senator Ali Ndume has agreed to stand as surety for him.
He also prayed the court to accept a certified irrevocable power of attorney issued to Senator Ndume in the name of one Lawal Ahmed, the previous owner of the land since
Since has not met the condition that requires the surety to have a certificate of occupancy of landed property in his name in Abuja.
Ruling on the application, Justice Okon Abang, said since the defendant has complied with the main condition of producing a surety, the court will accept the irrevocable power of attorney in place of the certificate of occupancy .
He also reduced the bail condition from N1 billion to N500 million with a surety in the like sum.
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Justice Abang who said he is granting the variation on compassionate ground, however, refused to vary the condition that requires the surety to attend the trial with the defendant and sign a register of attendance on every date fixed for trial.
Maina should have been released on July 24 but was delayed till this week due to administrative procedures
(Editor:Abaje Usekwe)