News

BREAKING: Court Issues Arrest Of Ex-Pension Boss, Maina

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the arrest of the former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina.

This is following his absence in court for the fourth consecutive time to stand trial in the alleged N2 billion fraud charges brought against him by the federal government.

At the resumed trial in Abuja, Justice Okon Abang ordered security agents in the country to arrest Maina anywhere he is found and bring him before the court to face the consequences of his jumping the bail granted him by the court.

Before issuing the order for his arrest, Justice Abang revoked the N500m bail he granted Maina on the ground that the bail had been abused following his persistent absence in court.

Justice Abang also granted the request of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that the trial in the fraud charges be conducted in his absence.

Counsel to the anti-graft agency, Muhammed Abubakar had complained that Maina could not be located in spite of efforts to get him to attend his trial.

In a bench ruling, Justice Abang agreed that Maina had grossly abused the bail granted him and consequently ordered its revocation.

Justice Abang, before adjourning trial to November 23, also gave Maina’s surety, Senator Ali Ndume till November 23 to show cause why he should not forfeit the N500m bail bond to the federal government due to the absence of Maina.

It will be recalled that Maina spent nine months on remand at the Kuje Correctional Center before the court released him on bail after Senator Ndume agreed to stand surety for him.