The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday has remanded a former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Taskforce Team, Abulrasheed Maina, in prison, till the end of his trial.
Bibian Anekwe News reports that Justice Okon Abang gave the order following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecution counsel, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar.
Ruling on the EFCC’s application for a remand order, Justice Abang said, “The defendant is already on bench warrant having jumped bail.
“So he shall be remanded in correctional centre pending the conclusion of the trial.”
A lawyer, Adaji Abel, who newly took over Maina’s defence on Friday after his former counsel withdrew from the case, appealed to the judge to adjourn the case to enable him to prepare adequately for the case.
The judge acceded to the request and adjourned till December 8.
Recall that Maina who is under prosecution on N2bn money laundering charges jumped bail and fled to the Republic of Niger.
He was, however, extradited to Nigeria on Thursday weeks after the court revoked his bail, ordered his arrest and also noted that his trial would proceed in his absence pending when security agencies would produce him.
Maina last attended court in July and has subsequently missed up to six court sessions since September 29.
