Court begins Maina’s ‘N2bn money laundering’ trial in absentia

A federal high court in Abuja has commenced the trial of Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the Pension Reformed Task Team, for alleged money laundering in absentia.

At Tuesday’s sitting, Okon Abang, the judge, began the trial of Maina and his company, both of whom were absent in court.

They were also not represented by their counsel.

The judge also closed the first and second defendant’s rights to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Maina for alleged money laundering to the tune of N2 billion.

Abang also admitted an exhibit tendered by Mohammed Abubakar, the EFCC prosecuting counsel, without any objection.

He held that the defendants failed to utilise their opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses and oppose the admissibility of the exhibit tendered against them.

The former pension boss had pleaded “not guilty” to a 12-count charge of money laundering.

In one of the charges, the accused allegedly concealed his identity as the signatory to accounts, where the funds are domiciled, opened by his relatives who are staff of the banks where they are maintained.

On Monday, the judge remanded Ali Ndume, senator from Borno state who stood as Maina’s surety when he was granted bail in November 2019.

He ordered that Ndume be held in Kuje prison until he produces the defendant or sells his N500m worth of property in Abuja, which was used as the guarantee for the bail bond.

The judge had revoked Maina’s bail and ordered his arrest.