MONEY LAUNDERING: COURT ORDERS THE ARREST OF EX PENSION BOSS MAINA FOR FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR TRIAL
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina for his repeated failure to appear for the continuation of his trial on money laundering charges.
Justice Okon Abang on Wednesday, November 18, directed security agencies to track and arrest Maina who is facing a 12-count criminal charge levied against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The court also granted the EFCC the go ahead to trial the defendant in absentia.
The EFCC has accused Maina of using the account of a firm identified as Common Input Properties & Investment Limited to launder about N2 billion, part of which he used to acquire properties in Abuja.
Maina was granted bail after spending over 7 months at the Like Correctional Centre after Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South stood surety for him with a N500 million bail bond.
The ex pension boss has since his release on bail remained absent from his trial for four consecutive times.
Senator Ndume, who stood surety for Maina, told the court on October 2 that he has been unable to locate his whereabouts, urging the court to issue an arrest warrant to enable security operatives to track and apprehend the ex pension boss.
The court has therefore set November 23 for Senator Ndume to prove why he should not forfeit the N500 million bail bond to the Federal Government.
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