TheCable

A federal high court in Abuja has granted Faisal Maina, son of Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), a N60 million bail.

Okon Abang, the presiding judge, ruled that the defendant should produce a surety who must be a member of the house of representatives in like sum.

He said the surety must possess a landed property anywhere within the federal capital territory (FCT). Also, he shall furnish the court with evidence of tax clearance for three years and must also appear with the defendant at every date fixed for hearing.

The judge also ordered the defendant to submit his American passport and Nigerian passport to the court’s registry.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Faisal before the court for money laundering. He was accused of operating an anonymous account with the United Bank of Africa (UBA) which he allegedly used to launder N58 million.

The defendant had pleaded “not guilty” to the three-count charge brought against him.

During the trial, Faisal’s lawyer urged the court to grant him bail on grounds that there is a pressing need for him to return to school as he is a final year student at the Canadian University of Dubai. The lawyer also said his client was suffering from depression, anxiety and panic disorder.

But the prosecution lawyer alleged that the defendant might escape if he is released on bail.

However, the judge held that Faisal is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise.