Maina plans to escape from custody and kill our prosecutor, witnesses — EFCC

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, dismissed a fresh bail variation application filed by a former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina.

Maina, who was arraigned last year by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on money laundering-related charges, had been unable to meet the conditions attached to the bail granted him on November 26 last year.

The court had on January 28 varied the defendant’s bail conditions following his inability to meet the bail terms granted him.

Maina had in a February 20 application, sought a further review of the bail terms, insisting that he had been unable to get a senator to stand as surety for his release.

However, the judge described the ex-pension task team chief’s latest application as “unmeritorious.”

He held that the applicant was wrong to have dictated to the court the conditions he preferred.

Justice Abang also rejected the request by the EFCC for the revocation of the bail granted the defendant.

The commission had in a motion on notice claimed that Maina had perfected plans to escape from custody and assassinate the prosecuting lawyer and prosecution’s witnesses.

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The judge said: “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.”

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