Maina’s Bail at Risk as Judge Decries ‘Tactical Delays’ in N738.6m Fraud Trial

​The N738.6 million fraud trial of Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), took a dramatic turn on Thursday as Justice Abubakar Kutigi of the FCT High Court threatened to revoke the defendant’s bail.

​The judge’s warning followed another attempt by the defense to stall proceedings, citing a vague medical referral that failed to specify any actual illness. Expressing visible frustration, Justice Kutigi noted that the case has remained stagnant for four years due to “diverse antics” by the defendant.

​”Stalled Completely”

​Justice Kutigi observed that Maina has not appeared in court for four years, suggesting that a bail revocation might be the only way to compel the defendant to take the trial seriously.

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​”These antics have stalled proceedings completely,” the judge remarked, while flatly refusing an adjournment request from defense counsel, Mr. Achibong. To ensure progress, the court secured a commitment from the defense chambers to proceed with the trial henceforth, with or without Maina’s physical presence.

​Revelations of Siphoned Funds

​With the adjournment denied, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented its 14th witness, investigator Gogi Mohammed. His testimony painted a picture of a massive siphoning operation through the Office of the Head of Service (HoSF).

​Mohammed detailed how a raid on the Kaduna residence of Maina’s relative, Maimuna Usman, uncovered:

• ​Property Deeds: Over 30 title documents for properties in Abuja and Kaduna.
• ​Cash Purchases: Testimony revealed Maina allegedly paid $2 million cash for a Jabi property, $1.7 million cash for a Life Camp home, and N100 million cash for a Kaduna property.

​The “Inflated” Biometric Contracts

​The witness further alleged that biometric enrollment contracts were used as conduits for theft. According to Mohammed, a contract originally awarded for N63 million was inflated to N199 million, with the company eventually receiving N224 million.

​The investigator stated that the contractor, Robert Eakazobo, admitted the inflation happened at Maina’s instance. Furthermore, another associate, Osarenkhoe Afe, reportedly confessed to returning N250 million of the contract funds to Maina in tranches, often using post-dated cheques.

​Trial-Within-Trial

​The defense team objected to the admissibility of extra-judicial statements made by Maina and his co-defendant, Ann Igwe Olachi, claiming they were obtained under duress. To resolve this, Justice Kutigi adjourned the matter to February 20 and 26, 2026, for a trial-within-trial.

​Maina and Olachi face a nine-count charge involving the receipt of stolen funds totaling N738,612,019.99. Both maintain their “not guilty” pleas.