The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday commenced the trial of a former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reformed Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, in absentia.

Maina had last attended court on July 2, 2020, during the cross-examination of the sixth prosecution witness by his legal team.

He is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on N2bn money laundering charges.

Maina has failed to attend court proceedings since September 29, 2020, prompting the judge, Justice Okon Abang, to adjudge him as having jumped bail in a ruling delivered on November 18, 2020.

The judge in the November 18 ruling, revoked the bail earlier granted him, ordered his arrest, and directed that his trial would proceed in his absence.

Justice Okon Abang had ordered the remand of Maina’s bail surety, Senator Ali Ndume, until he is able to produce the fleeing defendant in court or pay the N500m bail bond to the Federal Government.