Breaking: Maina’s Trial Continues Despite Absence By Lawyer, Defendant

The trial of ex-chairman of the Pension Reform Tasks Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina continued on Tuesday before a Federal High Court in Abuja despite his absence and not being represented by any lawyer.

Maina is being tried with a firm – Common Input Property and Investment Limited – by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly laundering about N2billion.

On the previous day, the court ordered the remand of Maina’s surety, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume in prison pending when he is either able to produce Maina (who is believed to have jumped bail) or pay a bail bond of N500million into Federal Government’s account and produce a receipt), and adjourned till Tuesday for continuation of trial.

At the resumption of proceedings on Tuesday, neither Francis Oronsaye (who represented Maina on November 23, 2020) nor A. Adedipe (who, the court noted, last appeared in the case for the second defendant) was in court.

Justice Okon Abang, in a ruling, noted that both defence lawyers stayed away from court without any reason, and elected to proceed with the trial.

Justice Abang said the defence lawyers have chosen to abandon proceedings without any reasons and should have themselves to blame for their action.

He agreed with the prosecution that the normal business of the day should be allowed to proceed.