Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman, Pension Reformed Task Team (PRTT) has on Wednesday told the Federal High Court, Abuja, that he had no case to answer in the allegations levied against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Maina, who told Justice Okon Abang shortly after EFCC, through its counsel, Farouk Abdullah, closed its case, said he would be filing a no-case submission.
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The former pension reformed boss, through his lawyer, Anayo Adibe, made his intention known after Adibe cross examined the ninth prosecution witness (PW9), Rouqquaya Ibrahim, an EFCC investigator.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Maina (1st defendant) was arraigned before Justice Abang, on October 25, 2019, by EFCC alongside his firm, Common Input Property and Investment Ltd (2nd defendant).
Although he is facing 12-counts bordering on money laundering up to the tune of N2 billion, he had pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Read Also: Alleged Money Laundering: Maina To Remain In Prison Until End Of Trial
Justice Abang on November 18, ordered Maina’s arrest following his refusal to appear in court since September 29 when his case resumed.
The Justice thereby ordered the defence lawyer to address the court on his client’s no-case submission on Thursday.
He ruled;
The prosecution has closed its case today. It is for the defence to open its case. The court had earlier ruled that the case would proceed in his absence. But he is here today. The defendant is entitled to be heard.
The defendant has elected to present a no-case submission. It is within his legal right to do so, and the court cannot question it.
Justice Abang added;
The defendant’s counsel has said there is no provision for the filing of no-case submission in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Therefore it is hereby ordered that parties shall address the court orally on the defendant’s no-case submission.
He then adjourned the case till Thursday, December 10.
