Abdulrasheed Maina
Justice Okon Abang has adjourned a ruling on the bail application filed by former Chairman Pension Reform Task Team Abdulrasheed Maina.
Maina is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on money laundering charges.
During Friday’s session, counsel to Maina, Sani Katu, informed the court that his client was taken to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, because of his deteriorating health condition.
Katu added that the Kuje Custodial Centre, where he is being kept, does not have the facility to cater to his health needs.
The counsel provided medical reports to buttress his claims regarding the defendant’s state of health.
However, opposing the application, counsel to EFCC, M.S Abubakar urged the court to reject the application.
According to Abubakar, the purported poorly managed hypertension would only require monthly examination as indicated in the affidavit before the court.
The EFCC counsel further stated that it was clear from the affidavit that, while the prosecution thought the defendant was in the Niger Republic, he also went to Chad when his American and Nigeria passports were in the custody of the court.
After that, Justice Abang adjourned the matter until February 24 and 25 to continue the trial and to rule on the application.
You will recall that the defendant was granted bail in June 2020 but subsequently fled the country, forcing the court to revoke his bail and warrant his arrest.
Upon his arrest and repatriation from the Niger Republic, the trial resumed with the court remanding him at the Kuje Custodial Centre.
However, on January 20, 2021, Maina approached Justice Abang for another bail, citing worsening health condition as grounds for the relief.