Alleged Money Laundering: Court Orders Maina’s Arrest, Summons Surety Sen Ndume

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered security agents to arrest the former Chairman of the Pension Reformed Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina.

Justice Okon Abang of the court, who is presiding over the case, also directed Maina’s surety, Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South), to appear before it on November 23, to explain why he has not been able to fulfil his part of the bail agreement.

Maina and others are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for charges bordering on money laundering.

But the embattled pension boss has not appeared in court during proceedings on four occasions (September 29,30, October 2 and 19) since he was granted bail.

The judge also ruled that Maina’s trial will continue in his absence, adding that “He cannot hold the court to ransom”.

THE WHISTLER reported that Ndume had accepted to stand as Maina’s surety.

Prior to Maina’s release from Kuje prison , the court had also varied Maina’s bail conditions from 1 billion to 500 million naira.