The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of the former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reformed Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina, and the continuation of his trial in absentia.
Maina, is adjudged to have jumped bail which the Senator representing his constituency, Ali Ndume, is standing as surety regarding his trial involving N2 billion money laundering charges.
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Justice Okon Abang, who gave the order in Wednesday’s ruling, also revoked the bail earlier granted the fleeing defendant.
Abang ordered security agencies across the country to search for Maina and produce him in court, “without delay”.
He said that the trial of the defendant would also proceed in his absence pending when he would be produced in court.
The judge acted following a request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s prosecuting counsel, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar.
Abubakar cited section 184 and 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, to back his prayers, That the absence of Maina from the proceedings of September 29, 30, October 2, and 19, 2020 as well as Wednesday without any reasonable excuse was enough reasons to make the orders, which the court agreed.
The Judge fixed November 23 for Maina’a surety, Senator Ali Ndume, to appear in court to show cause why he should not be remanded in prison and forfeit his N500m bail bond pending when he would be able to produce the defendant.
On October 20, 2020, the court gave Senator Ali Ndume 21 days to produce Maina, after he repeatedly failed to appear in the court for the continuation of the trial.
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