By Simdi Gloria:-
The former Chairman, Pension Reformed Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina, 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).
Shortly after the EFCC’s counsel Farouk Abdullah closed its case, Maina told Justice Okon Abang that he would be filing a no-case submission.
He made his intention known through his lawyer, Anayo Adibe after Adibe cross-examined the ninth prosecution witness (PW9), Rouqquaya Ibrahim, an EFCC investigator.
Maina was arraigned alongside his firm, Common Input Property and Investment Ltd by the EfCC in Oct 2019 before Justice Abang.
He is facing 12-counts bordering on money laundering up to the tune of N2 billion and he had pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Justice Abang had, on Nov. 18, ordered Maina’s arrest following his refusal to appear in court since Sept. 29 when his case resumed.
Maina was, however, produced in court on Dec. 4 by security operatives after he was arrested in the Nigeria Republic and extradited to Nigeria.
During the proceeding on Wednesday, Adibe told the court about his Client’s intention to file a no no-case application in accordance with Sections 302 and 303 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
He argued that the evidence tendered by the prosecution was insufficient to justify the trial of his client.
He also asked for a period of 30 days to file the application, said to the best of his knowledge, there was no specific period stipulated in ACJA 2015 to file the motion.
Justice Abang held that it was Maina’s legal right, independent decision, and his choice to present a no-case submission.
“The prosecution has closed their case today. It is for the defendant to open his defence.
“The defendant has elected to argue or present a no-case submission,” he said.
The judge, then, ordered the parties to address the court orally.
Hé adjourned the matter until Dec. 10 for the defendant to argue his no-case submission and for the prosecution to respond to the same orally.
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