Fugitive former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Taskforce Team, Abulrasheed Maina, has been remanded in prison till the end of his money-laundering trial.
Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja gave the order on Friday following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s prosecution counsel, Mr Mohammed Abubakar.
Maina, who is being prosecuted by the EFCC on N2bn money laundering charges, had jumped bail and fled to the Republic of Niger. He was recently arrested in that country and repatriated back to Nigeria on Thursday.
Ruling on the EFCC’s application for a remand order, Justice Abang said, “The defendant is already on bench warrant having jumped bail.
“So he shall be remanded in correctional centre pending the conclusion of the trial.”
Mr. Adaji Abel, counsel to Maina, then urged the judge to adjourn the case to enable him prepare adequately for his defence.
The judge granted his request and adjourned till December 8.
