Maina in trouble as judge revokes bail, orders arrest

By Yemi Oyeyemi, Abuja

A federal high court in Abuja on Wednesday issued a warrant of arrest against former Chairman of the Presidential Pension Reform Task Team Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina following his absence in court for the fourth time to stand trial in the N2 billion fraud charges brought against him by the federal government.

Justice Okon Abang ordered security agents in the country to arrest Maina anywhere he is found and bring him before the court to face the consequences of his jumping the bail granted him by the court.

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

In what looked like double jeopardy for Maina, the judge 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, EFCC coinsel, Muhammed Abubakar, had 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, pleaded with the court to revoke the bail being enjoyed by Maina so that he could be apprehended by security operatives.

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

He ordered that Maina be arrested in any part of the country he may be found and brought to Abuja to face the trial.

In the same vein, Justice Abang gave Maina’s surety Senator Ali Ndume till November 23 to show cause why he should not forfeit the N500n to the federal government for the bail bond he endorsed for the bail of Maina.

Meanwhile, the trial of Maina in the alleged N2b fraud is expected to commence in his absence on November 23.