Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja has ordered that Abdulrasheed Maina should be remanded at Kuje correctional centre till end of trial.

Abdulrasheed Maina, Former Chairman of Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT) is facing a 12-count money laundering charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja.

Mr Maina who jumped bail and fled to Niger was arrested on 30th November, 2020 in Niamey, Niger Republic by a combination of security and intelligence operatives in Niger and Nigeria and was extradited to Nigeria on 3rd December, 2020, from Niamey by by Nigerian Police, where he was arrested having been declared wanted by a court of competent jurisdiction over a pending criminal trial against him.

Mr Maina, a wanted fugitive is facing a 12-count money laundering charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Part of the allegations against him is that he used his firm to launder 2billion Naira and also used some of it to acquire properties in Abuja.

9News Nigeria learnt that Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered and continued Mr Maina’s trial in absentia after he jumped the bail granted him by the judge.

The former pension official’s absence in court also compelled the trial judge, Mr Abang, to issue a warrant of arrest against him.

Also, the court also ordered the remand of Ali Ndume, a senator representing Borno South , for his failure to produce Mr Maina in court after standing as a surety for him or pay N500million bail bond.

The judge, however, granted Mr Ali Ndume bail based on his record of good behaviour before the court.