Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, faced fresh judicial warning on Thursday, as Justice Abubakar Kutigi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Asokoro, threatened to revoke his bail over repeated delays in his trial.
The warning followed the defence’s attempt to secure an adjournment based on a hospital referral that did not indicate any ill health.
Justice Kutigi expressed frustration at the prolonged nature of the trial, noting that the proceedings had been stalled for nearly four years due to the defendant’s “diverse antics.”
He stressed that despite numerous opportunities to respond to the fraud allegations, Maina had largely avoided active participation in his trial.
The judge indicated that he had obtained a commitment from the defence chambers to proceed with the trial with or without Maina’s presence, effectively rejecting the adjournment request.
Following this, prosecution counsel Francis Usani called the 14th prosecution witness, Gogi Mohammed, an EFCC investigator, who presented further evidence in the ongoing N738.6 million fraud case.
Mohammed detailed how Maina allegedly used staff from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF) to siphon funds through fictitious contracts, allowances, and a biometric enrolment exercise for pensioners.
The witness revealed that the investigative team traced several of Maina’s assets to his relative, Maimuna Usman, in Kaduna.
A search of her residence uncovered documents for over 30 properties, mostly in Abuja and Kaduna, which were allegedly given to her by Maina.
Some properties, including one in Jabi, Abuja, and another in Life Camp, Abuja, were reportedly purchased in cash for $2 million and $1.7 million, respectively, while a property in Katoru Road, Kaduna, was bought for N100 million.
The EFCC has since filed for the forfeiture of these properties.
The trial, which has dragged on for years, is expected to continue despite Maina’s absence from court.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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