By Charles Igbo
Many Nigerians are asking who are behind the power and impunity the former Abdulrasheed Maina are.
Maina was the former Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Pension before he was sacked over alleged embezzlement of over two billion Naira Pension Funds.
He was investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and arraigned before the Court on a 12-count criminal charge.
Before he was arrested in an Abuja Hotel in a dramatic manner, Maina had escaped to Dubai in a dramatic manner, after he was sacked as a civil servant. But he was also reinstated in a more dramatic manner than before, and then, sacked again. He disappeared thereafter until security agents arrested him in Abuja, and he was hauled before a court.
Maina was detained in prison custody, but was later granted bail under very strict conditions. After much appeal, the conditions were reviewed. He was released after he met the reviewed bail conditions.
Maina was taken on bail by Ndume. But now. Maina has disappeared. For about 10 times, Maina has refused to appear in court. Senator Ndume, at one such court appearance told the Court that he didn’t know Maina’s whereabouts, and has been unable to reach him.
But on Tuesday, the case took a twist for the worse.
Maina was absent again, and now, Senator Ndume is in trouble. He is a few steps away from jail.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has given Senator Ndume 21 days to produce Maina or get behind bars over Maina’s repeated failure to appear in court for the continuation of his trial on alleged money laundering charges.
Maina is in trouble over the 12-count criminal charge against him and a firm, Common Input Properties & Investment Limited by the EFCC.
The Commission  alleges Maina used the account of the firm to launder funds of about two billion Naira.
The EFCC alleged that Maina used part of the money to acquire landed properties in Abuja.
The case against him has already been opened, and witnesses, including bankers and Maina’s relatives had testified, tendering exhibits in evidence before the court when Maina suddenly, stopped appearing in court since September 29.
The simple meaning is that he has jumped bail.
On October 2 when the matter came Ndume told the court that the whereabouts of Maina was unknown to him. A couple of weeks ago, reports quoted Maina as saying he was not strong in health to appear in court, and would do so as soon as he is fit. But many Nigerians think some powerful forces are beating the drum he is dancing to.
Both the EFCC and Ndume had asked the Court to issue a Warrant of arrest against Maina on Monday.
But in a bench ruling, Justice Okon Abang said Ndume would have to be put behind bars if a bench warrant is issued. He, therefore, asked the Senator to produce the first defendant within twenty-one days.
The matter was adjourned to November 18.
Many doubt Maina would show up, and wonder what would be the fate of Ndume.
