Maina, Former Pension Boss, Released From Kuje Prison
Former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, who is being prosecuted on money laundering charges, have been released from Kuje Correctional Center nine months after his detention.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), had arraigned Maina alongside his son, Faisal and firm, Common Input Property and Investment Limited, before Okon Abang, a judge of the Federal High Court Abuja, on October 25th, 2019.
Adeola Adedipe, Maina’s lawyer, said his client was released on Monday evening after completing necessary documents for his bail.
Adedipe said his client ought to be released on July 24 but it was delayed due to administrative procedures.
“It was already late last week Friday so they now have a new timeline shifted at 6 O’clock.
“We went there and everything was done,” he said.
His release came about a month after the judge accepted the Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, as surety for the bail earlier granted the defendant.
Asked why it took about a month after the judge had accepted Ndume to stand as surety for him, Adedipe said, “It was also administrative. There were lapses here and there, transmission of processes from one department of government to another.”
Maina pleaded not guilty to the charges. Among others, he was accused of using fictitious names to open and operate various bank accounts into which he alleged channelled pension funds.
His trial was adjourned till September 29.
