By Olalekan Awojodu
Abuja
Justice Okon Abang of the federal high court has issued a warrant of arrest against former Chairman of the Presidential Pension Reform Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina.
Abang gave the order on Wednesday at the resumed trial.
Recall that Maina’s absence in court for the fourth time to stand trial in the N2billon fraud charges brought against him by the federal government has snowballed into blame games.
But while making a pronouncement at the resumed trial, Justice Okon Abang ordered security agents in the country to arrest Maina anywhere he is found and bring him before the court to face the consequences of his jumping the bail granted him by the court.
Earlier, Justice Abang had revoked the N500M bail he granted Maina on the ground that the bail had been abused following his persistent absence in court, before he then issued order for his arrest
Again, the Judge also granted the request of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC that his trial in the fraud charges be conducted in his absence.
At the court, EFCC counsel Muhammed Abubakar had complained that Maina could not be located in spite of efforts to make him appear in court.
The lawyer informed the Judge that Maina was not in court for the fourth time, pleading to the court to revoke the bail presently being enjoyed by Maina to fast track his arrest by security operatives.
In a short ruling, Justice Abang held that Maina had grossly abuse the bail granted him and consequently ordered its revocation.
He ordered that Maina be arrested in any part of the country he may be found and brought to Abuja to face the trial.
Similarly, Justice Abang gave Maina’s surety Senator Ali Ndume till November 23 to show cause why he should not forfeit the N500M to the federal government for the bail bond he endorsed for the bail of Maina.
Meanwhile, the trial judge has ruled that the trial will commence in Maina’s absence on November 23.
Dear readers, we really need your support to keep on serving you with authoritative, truthful, and juicy stories everyday. For your support, please reach out to the editor @gavelinternational66@gmail.com