By Ayodele Oni
For his failure to produce a suspect on bail, a Federal High Court, Abuja, today, Monday, ordered the remand, of Chairman Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South ) in Kuje Correctional Centre.
He will remain there until he produces in court, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina, who he stood surety for.
Justice Okon Abang, who gave the order, also, ruled that Ndume should, alternatively, pay N500m to the treasury of the Federal Government, or forfeit his property located at plot 158 cadastral zone Asokoro Abuja.
According to him, until any of the conditions is fulfilled, Ndume should remain in Kuje prison.
Senator Ndume stood surety in April 2020 after the defendant had spent six months in custody, due to his inability to produce a senator to stand for him.
Maina is facing a-12 count charge of laundering the sum of N2bn through multiple fictitious bank account names.
He has been absent in court for four consecutive times without any tangible reason acceptable to Court.
At the last adjourned date, November 18, the judge gave Ndume till today to show cause why he should not be sent to prison.
Maina, who is standing trial for alleged money laundering charges, absconded and left Maina in the lurch. Ndume consistently told the Court he didn’t know Maina’s whereabouts.
Last week, a Bench warrant to arrest Maina was issued by the Court. And on Monday November 23, the Ndume was ordered remanded in Prison Custody.
*With Additional Report by Akinwale Kasali
