Maina: Ex-Pension Boss’s Lawyer Dumps Case

Under fire Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, was yesterday reportedly extradited to Nigeria from Niger Republic to face trial for money laundering charges.

In what has further exacerbated Maina’s woes, Joe Gazama, his counsel filed an application to withdraw his appearance from the ongoing criminal trial.

Eko Hot Blog gathered that Maina was arrested in Niger Republic by International Police Organisation, Interpol, which worked with Nigeria security agencies, after he jumped bail.

Maina is standing trial for alleged money laundering to the tune of two billion naira.

Speaking with newsmen, the Commissioner of Police in charge of Interpol said Maina was brought back to Nigeria on the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

Maina had jumped bail, consequently risking the imprisonment of his surety, Senator Ali Ndume by the court for failing to produce him in court.

Ndume was reportedly granted bail after being imprisoned for five days.

READ ALSO: Maina Bought $2m Property In Abuja, EFCC Witness Tells Court

Meanwhile, his attorney, Joe Gazama, yesterday lodged an application to withdraw from representing Maina the ongoing criminal trial.

Upon commencement of proceedings yesterday, Mohammed Abubakar, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, drew the court’s attention to a pending application before it, filed by the first defendant’s counsel seeking to withdraw legal representation for his client.

However, Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court said the defence counsel ought to be in court to move his application.

Abang said the counsel has abandoned proceedings.

“It is their duty to come to court and move their application.  The court only said that trial will continue in absence of the defendant. There is no appeal against that decision but his counsel chose to abandon proceedings,’’ he said.

In a similar development, Adeola Adedipe, counsel representing Maina’s company, Common Input Investment Limited, also withdrew from the case on the premise that he was yet to be paid for his services and was unable to locate Maina.

“I adopt my notice of disengagement as counsel to the second defendant,” Adedipe said.

Delivering a bench ruling, the judge said: “Leave is hereby granted.” Maina is being prosecuted by EFCC for alleged money laundering to the tune of N2 billion.