By Idris Salisu
The Justice Okon Abang Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday commenced the trial of the ex-chairman of the defunct Pension Reformed Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, in his absence.
365Daily recalls that the court on Monday gave an order for the surety to Maina, Sen. Ali Ndume, to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Facility for failure to produce Maina before the court for trial.
In addition, the court held that Sen Ndume’s properties which was posted as surety should be forfeited to the Federal Government unless he can bring the defendant before the court.
On Tuesday, Justice Abang received more evidence from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the embattled former pension reform boss who is being prosecuted on a 12-count money laundering charge alongside Common Input Properties & Investment Limited.
In a charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/256/2019,the EFCC alleged that the ex-Pension boss used fictitious names to open various fake bank accounts and make illicit transactions using his relatives who were bank staff.
In its submission, the EFCC informed the court that the accused used the account of Common Input Properties & Investment Limited to launder funds to the tune of about N2billion, out of which landed properties were acquired in Abuja.
Due to the absence of Maina and his legal counsel, lawyer to the EFCC, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, urged the court to foreclose Maina’s right to continue to cross-examine the sixth prosecution witness, PW-6, who was in the witness box before he jumped bail.
The court held that the Defendants, by their absence, waived their right to either cross-examine the witnesses or to challenge exhibits tendered by the prosecution.
Justice Abang granted the request and approved the seventh witness, Sani Ali, to give evidence in the matter and tender exhibit against the defendants.