The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Mister Abdulrasheed Maina following his absence in court for the fourth consecutive time to continue trial in the alleged N2 billion fraud charges leveled against him by the federal government. Justice Okon Abang, during the resumption of trial in Abuja on Wednesday, instructed security agents in the country to ensure the arrest of Mister Maina anywhere he is found and bring him before the court to face the consequences of his jumping bail granted him by the court.
Justice Abang also revoked the N500m bail he granted mister Maina on the ground that the bail has been abused following his persisting absence in court.
Justice Abang also granted the request of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that the trial in the fraud charges be conducted in his absence.
Lawyer to the commission, Mister Muhammed Abubakar had complained that Maina could not be located in spite of efforts to get him to attend his trial.
The lawyer informed the judge that Maina was not in court for the fourth time and pleaded with the court to revoke the bail enjoyed by him so that he could be apprehended by security operatives.
Justice Abang agreed that Maina had grossly abused the bail granted him and consequently ordered its revocation, before he adjourned the trial to the 23rd of November, 2020.
The judge also gave Senator Ali Ndume, who is Maina's surety, till November 23 to show just cause why he should not forfeit the N500m bail bond to the federal government due to Maina's absence.