BY Bolanle Olabimtan
A federal high court in Abuja has ordered that Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), be remanded in prison until his bail application is taken.
After his arraignment on allegations of money laundering on Friday, Ahmed Raji, counsel to the former pension chief, asked the court to hear his application for bail.
However, the prosecution counsel in an oral application, asked the court for leave to commence trial immediately.
He said the defendant’s bail application is premature having been filed before his arraignment.
But Raji argued that the prosecution should not be allowed to open its defence because the defendant is not equip enough to stand trial.
He asked for more time to enable him to converse with his client appropriately.
While ruling, Okon Abang, the judge, held that the absence of fair hearing nullifies the interest of justice.
As regards the commencement of trial, Abang cited section 36(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which states that “anybody charged with a criminal offence is entitled to be given adequate time and facility for the preparation of his defence”.
He, thereafter, adjourned the matter till October 30, and remanded Maina in prison custody.
Faisal in white attire and a blue cap
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Faisal, son of Maina, for money laundering.
He was arraigned at federal high court in Abuja. Faisal pleaded not guilty to a 3-count charge of money laundering brought against him.
He was accused of operating an anonymous account with the UBA which he allegedly used to launder N58 million.
Okon Abang, the judge, refused to hear the application for bail raised by Adeola Adedipe, the defendant counsel, on grounds that it was incompetent.
“A Court of law only has jurisdiction to decide bail upon the arraignment of a defendant, not before it. An application filed before his arraignment is incompetent. It is in the light of the above that the application for bail filed before arraignment deserves to be withdrawn,” the court ruled.
The court ordered the remand of Faisal Maina at the police special tactical squad in Asokoro.
The case has been adjourned till November 6 for trial to commence.
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