Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja   Monday ruled that  former chairman of the Presidential Pension Reform Task Team (PPRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina may call as many as 21 witnesses, as already indicated in his processes, to testify on his behalf.

The court further ordered Maina to open his defence on January 26, 2020. His   counsel, Anayo Adibe had earlier applied for leave to bring a no case submission challenging the trial before the court.

But Justice Abang foreclosed his right to make the application contending that having jumped bail in the course of the trial, Maina caused the court to rule that his trial would proceed in his absence, adding that the order was not challenged.

Maina was on October 25, 2019 arraigned on 12-count charges alongside his son, Faisal on three-count charges bordering on money laundering, and concealment of proceeds of unlawful act.

He was eventually released in June on a bail bond of N500 million or a property in Asokoro with Senator Ndume as surety.

But following Maina's abscondment from trial, the lawmaker was remanded at the Kuje Correctional facility.


Maina was, however, produced in court on Dec. 4  following his arrest in neighbouring Niger Republic and extradition to Nigeria.