Ndume stands as surety for Maina’s bail application

Senator Ali Ndume has agreed to stand as surety for the former chairman of the Pension Reform Taskforce Team, Abdulateed Maina, who is facing trial over alleged money laundering.

Maina had been detained that the correctional centre in Kuje since October 25, 2019 over his inability to fulfil the bail terms imposed by a Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2019.

His lawyers had filed different bail modification applications. As a result, Justice Okon Abang on January 28 reduced the initial bail sum from N1billion to N500 million and one surety who must be a serving senator, but on April 29 refused an application to further reduce the bail terms.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had alleged that Maina used a firmCommon Input Properties & Investment Limited- to launder funds to the tune of about N2 billion, part of which he allegedly used to acquire landed property in Abuja.

But at the resumed trial on Tuesday, counsel to Maina, Joe Kyari Gadzama, informed the court that Senator Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, had agreed to stand as surety for him.

He however pleaded with the court to waive the condition that required the surety to tender the Certificate of Occupancy of the property he intends to submit for the bail.

But EFCC's counsel, Farouk Abdullah, filed a counter-affidavit to oppose Maina's variation request.

He asked the court to dismiss the application to wave the bail terms and insisted the surety must be physically present in court each day of the trial as earlier ordered by the court.

The case was adjusted to June 29 for ruling.