A former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task
Team (PRTT) Abdulrasheed Maina has been
remanded in prison on the order of a federal
high court in Abuja.
Maina was arraigned on allegation of money
laundering on Friday.
The counsel to the former pension chief
Ahmed Raji 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 argued that Maina’s bail application is
prematured having been filed before his arraignment.
However, the defendant’s counsel argued that his
client s equip enough to stand trial, therefore, the
prosecution should not be allowed to open its
defence.
He begged that the court give him enough time
to chat with his client.
Meanwhile, the judge Okon Abang concluded that
there is need for fair hearing to promote 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.
Young-po Reporters 