Court issues arrest warrant against Maina

The Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, issued a warrant of arrest against former Chairman, Presidential Pension Reform Task Team, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina.

Justice Okon Abang issued the warrant following Maina’s absence in court for four consecutive times to face trial in the N2 billion 12-count charge brought against him by the Federal Government in 2019.

The judge ordered security agents in the country to arrest Maina anywhere he is found and bring him before the court to face the consequences of jumping bail granted him.

Before issuing order for Maina’s arrest, Justice Abang revoked the N500 million bail he granted the accused person on the ground that the bail had been abused following his persistent absence in court.

Maina spent nine months in custody before he was granted bail following his inability to perfect his stringent bail condition.

To make Maina’s situation worse, Justice Abang granted the request of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that his trial in the fraud charges be conducted in his absence.

At the resumption of the case, counsel to EFCC, Muhammed Abubakar, complained that Maina could not be located in spite of efforts to get him to the court.

The lawyer informed the judge that Maina was not in court for the fourth time and pleaded with the court to revoke the bail he was enjoying so that he could be apprehended by security operatives.

In his short ruling, Justice Abang agreed that Maina had grossly abused his bail, and consequently ordered its revocation.

He gave order that Maina be arrested in any part of the country when found and be brought to Abuja to face his trial.

The court also gave Maina’s surety, Senator Ali Ndume till November 23 to show cause why he should not forfeit the N500million bail bond to the Federal Government for standing surety to Maina.

Consequently, the court fixed November 23 for the commencement of trial.