Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman, defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTM), and his son, Faisal, are to remain in Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, till January 2020.
Justice Okon Abang, who gave the order yesterday, adjourned hearing on Abdulrasheed’s bail variation application till January 13, 2020, while Faisal’s trial continuation was adjourned till January 20, 2020.
Earlier yesterday, Justice Abang had noted that though it would not be convenient for the court to take trial, bail variation arguments would be taken.
EFCC’s lawyer Mohammed Abubakar said he was ready for trial continuation and that the next witness was in court.
Abdulrasheed’s lawyer Mohammed Monguno reminded the court of the pending application filed on December 6, 2019, for bail variation.
Abubakar urged the court to adjourn hearing on the bail variation application because the defence had just served on him its further affidavit the same day.
“We apply that the hearing be adjourned to enable us react to their further affidavit,” he said.
Monguno, who described the motion as “simple application,” said the call for the adjournment was to delay proceeding.
“We were the ones who filed further affidavit in response to their counter-affidavit. We urge your lordship not to grant their prayer because it is an attempt to delay this matter,” he said.
Deborah Apete, counsel to Maina’s company, Common Input Investment Limited, adopted the submission of Monguno, saying: “The motion is ripe for hearing.”
Abubakar, in his argument, said that Maina’s application was brought relevant to provision of ACJA and 1999 constitution.
He said there was no provision in ACJA or the constitution that precludes ones from filing further counter-affidavit in reaction to further affidavit filed by the applicant.
“What the first defendant filed was a further and better affidavit.
“Section 36 of 1999 Constitution affords us the right to file further counter-affidavit,” he said.
Abubakar said Maina’s application was filed on December 17 but they deliberately served him December 18 in order to deny EFCC the right to fair hearing by way of responding to the further and better affidavit.