Judiciary

Breaking: Justice Okon Abang revokes bail of former chairman pension reform, Abudlrasheed Maina

Published

3 years ago

2020/11/18

Justice Okon Abang on Wednesday, revoked bail of former chairman pension reform task team Abudlrasheed Maina.

Mr Maina is facing a 12 count charge of allegedly diverting N100 billion of pension funds, operating fictitious accounts and carrying out other fraudulent activities, Justice Abang orders that security agencies should arrest him, while his trial resumes in his absence.

Former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), was in July this year, released from Kuje Correctional Centre nine months after his detention.

But Mr Maina, had explained his continued absence in court for his trial to severe ill health.

Maina is standing trial before the Abuja division of the Federal High court over allegations of fraud, abuse of public office and money laundering amounting to N2billion.

The prosecution agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleged that Maina abused his position as Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team by awarding fictitious contracts for purported biometric enrollment of pensioners, an offense that is punishable under Section 317(read in conjunction with section 316) of the Penal Code Act, Cap532, vol. 4, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, 2007.

However, Maina who is currently on bail, has not shown up in court for his trial. The development has caused the criminal trial to suffer several adjournments.

But in a recorded video interview in October 2020, Maina explained that he has been bedridden. “I am not on the run and have not jumped bail as being speculated by detractors. I am on a hospital bed”, Maina said.

Maina, who did not disclose the name of the hospital where he is presently on admission, assured his presence in court as soon as he is medically fit to stand trial. “I am nursing a serious knee injury and the Doctor said I need up to 6 to 7 weeks of recovery to be on my feet.”

More details to follow..