Maina fails in bid to soften bail conditions, as court sacks prayer for review

The move by the chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina to soften the bail conditions granted him has hit the rock.

This came following the sacking of his request for a review of the conditions attached to the bail granted him on November 26, 2019 by the Abuja Federal High Court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Maina before Justice Okon Abang over alleged money laundering related offence.

After hearing the matter, Abang granted Maina a N1 billion bail and asked him to deposit all his travel passports, including American, Nigerian and diplomatic passports.

He was equally asked to provide two sureties with properties worth N500 million each.

The trial judge had added that the sureties must have landed properties fully developed in Asokoro or Maitama in Abuja and must be serving senators with no criminal case in court.

However, Maina, following his in ability to meet the bail conditions requested the court to review the bail conditions.

But in is ruling on Wednesday, April 29, Justice Abang said the request to revoke Maina’s bail was premature because he believed that investigation of the allegations had not been concluded, since Maina claimed he had not been questioned by any security agency on the issue.

Abang further faulted the review application filed by the former PRTT boss, describing it as “unmeritorious”.

He added that it was wrong for the defendant to dictate the bail conditions he wanted.

“The 1st defendant failed to place materials before the court with, convincing reasons, to show that there exist exceptional circumstances to warrant the variation of the conditions of the bail earlier varied.

“The application filed by the 1st defendant lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed,” Abang said.

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At the court, the EFCC had prayed that more security operatives be placed around Maina at the Kuje correctional centre, Abuja, where he is being held but the judge rejected the demand.

Abang held that the security agencies and the prosecuting agency controlled by the executive arm of government, does not need a court order to provide additional security if there is need for that.

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