Expectations that embattled Senator Ali Ndume would be released from Kuje Prisons today has been dashed, as a Federal High Court in Abuja, deferred until tomorrow, Friday, November 27 ruling on the matter.
Ndume has been detained in prison since Monday following his inability to produce Abdulrasheed Maina, erstwhile chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team. Maina is believed to have jumped bail.
Justice Okon Abang had adjourned ruling on the bail application after both Ndume’s lawyer, Marcel Oru, and counsel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mohammed Abubakar, made their oral presentations.
Maina is being prosecuted by the EFCC on charges of money laundering involving N2bn.
On November 18, 2020, Justice Abang had not only revoked the bail granted him, but also ordered Maina’s arrest. He further directed that his trial would proceed, in absentia.
The judge also on Monday, November 23 remanded Ndume in prison until he produced Maina or paid the sum of N500m bail bond to the Federation Account.
Ndume, through his lawyer, Oru, had thereafter filed an appeal against the remand order at the Court of Appeal, along with an application for the bail of the defendant filed before Justice Abang.