SAN FRANCISCO, December 08, (THEWILL) – A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a plea by former chairman of the defunct Pension Reformed Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina for adjournment to prepare for his defence.
Ruling on Tuesday, Justice Okon Abang said the plea was a ploy to waste the court’s time.
The court had in the last sitting on December 4 adjourned after Maina through his counsel Abel Adaji, prayed for a short adjournment to allow him get a brief from his client on the defence.
Adaji on Tuesday further explained that he applied to the counsel who withdrew his appearance for Maina to oblige them with the copy of the charge sheet and other documents in relation to the trial.
He urged the court to accord Maina the constitutional right to be defended by counsel of his choice and be given adequate time and facility for his defence.
Counsel for the prosecutor, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), opposed the application.
Justice Abang refused to grant his application and ordered prosecution witness to continue with her evidence-in-chief and ruled that if Maina’s counsel failed to cross examine the witness after she completed her testimony, the cross examination would be foreclosed.
Maina is facing a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering alongside his firm Common Input Property and Investment Ltd.
