Court refuses Maina’s request to further review bail conditions

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Court refuses Maina’s request to further review bail conditions

A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the request by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for the revocation of the bail granted Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina.

The court also declined the request by Maina for a further variation of the conditions attached to the bail granted him on November 26, 2019.

These decisions are contained in two rulings delivered on Wednesday by Justice Okon Abang in two applications by the EFCC and Maina.

The first ruling was on a motion on notice in which the EFCC sought the revocation of the bail granted him on the grounds that Maina, being tried on money laundering related charges, had allegedly perfected plan to escape from custody and assassinate the prosecuting lawyer and prosecution’s witnesses.

Justice Abang held that it was premature for the court to take a definite position on the issue because there is evidence before the court that the allegation by the prosecution have been established by any security agency.

The judge said the request to revoke Maina’s bail could not be granted at this stage because he believes that investigation of the allegations has not been concluded since Maina claimed he has not been questioned by any security agency on the issue.

“No matter the gravity of the allegation against the 1st defendant (Maina), it remains allegations, not yet proved.

“Should the court proceed to grant the prosecution’s request, it will amount to denying the defendant fair hearing when the investigation was still on and the defendant had not been heard on the issue.

“I have no option than to believe the 1st defendant that security agencies have not heard from him.

“There is no proof before the court that the defendant has threatened the life of the prosecution counsel and his witnesses,” the judge said.

He rejected the EFCC’s request for an order directing that additional security be provided around Maina, currently being held at the Kuje correctional centre, Abuja.