…. Says application lacked merit
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, turned down the bail application of former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reformed Task Team, PRTT, Abdulrasheed Maina, on grounds that his application lacked merit.
Justice Okon Abang who gave the ruling, said the ex-pension boss was not worthy of bail, having jumped his initial bail.
He held that Maina did not place sufficient materials before the court to convince it that he deserves the second bail, as his medical report brought from the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital did not show that he was under any medical emergency.
Citing that Maina “disappointed the court”, the judge noted that he was a flight risk having fled to the Republic of Niger and Chad in violation of the court order.
Justice Abang who refused to grant Maina’s application for an order directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to release his confiscated property, including a BMW car, also dismissed his request for an order to set aside the November 18 and December 4, 2020 orders.
Maina had jumped bail last year and fled to Niger before his rearrest. This was sequel to a court order On December 4, 2020 for Maina to be remanded in prison custody pending the hearing and final determination of his matter.
Maina, through his lawyer, Anayo Adibe, on January 20 approached Abang in a motion on notice, arguing that the application became necessary over his worsening health condition.
In the motion, the ex-pension boss told the court that he had reasonable and responsible sureties who were willing to act as sureties if granted bail.
Debunking the argument that he had jumped bail, Maina said he fled to Niger to have knee surgery to avoid amputation.
