Maina freed from prison

Abdulrasheed Maina, the ex-Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, who is being prosecuted on money laundering charges, has been released from prisonm TopNaija can confirm.

A lawyer in his defence team, Ademola Adedipe, confirmed earlier on Tuesday. Adedipe said Maina had been in detention since November 2019 following his arraignment before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja. 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.

“He (Maina) was released around 6pm on Monday. We are happy that he has been released. He can now attend to his health and have unfettered access to his defence team in preparation for his defence in court,” Adedipe told our correspondent.

Asked why it took about a month after the judge had accepted Ndume to stand surety for him, Adedipe said, “There was nothing spectacular. It was due to administrative issues.”

Among others, Maina was accused of using fictitious names to open and operate various bank accounts into which he allegedly channelled pension funds.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges. His trial was adjourned till September 29.