Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the dissolved Pension Reform Task Team, faces the possible revocation of his bail after a Federal Capital Territory High Court judge reprimanded him for repeatedly delaying his ongoing N738.6 million fraud trial.
Justice Abubakar Kutigi of the Asokoro court issued the stern warning on Thursday, expressing frustration that the proceedings had been stalled for nearly four years due to what he described as the defendant’s “diverse antics.” The directive followed a failed bid by Maina’s defence lawyers to adjourn the case, citing a hospital referral note that did not specify any ailment preventing his court appearance. The judge indicated he had received an assurance from the defence team that the trial would proceed regardless of Maina’s presence, leading to the rejection of the adjournment request.
The case centres on allegations that Maina orchestrated a scheme to divert public pension funds. Following the judge’s ruling, prosecution counsel Francis Usani called the 14th witness, Gogi Mohammed, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Mohammed detailed how Maina allegedly exploited staff from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation to facilitate fraudulent contracts, unauthorised allowances, and a fictitious biometric enrolment exercise for pensioners.
The witness testified that the EFCC’s investigation traced significant assets to Maina’s relative, Maimuna Usman, in Kaduna State. A search of her residence reportedly yielded documents for over 30 properties, primarily in Abuja and Kaduna, which authorities claim were transferred to her by Maina. According to the EFCC, several high-value purchases were made in cash, including a Jabi, Abuja property for $2 million, another in Life Camp, Abuja for $1.7 million, and one on Katoru Road, Kaduna, for N100 million. The commission has subsequently filed applications for the forfeiture of these assets.
The trial, which has experienced prolonged intermittency, is scheduled to continue. The judiciary’s latest ultimatum underscores mounting pressure to resolve the long-standing case involving the former pension reform chief.
