Alleged Money Laundering: Court Fixes New Date For Maina’s Trial

The hearing of the bail application filed by the former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, has been adjourned to February 1, 2021.

Naija News reports that Maina had on December 24, 2020, filed a bail application predicated on grounds of deteriorating health which requires urgent medical attention.

In the motion on notice, the defendant outlined four issues for consideration by the court, one of which was him collapsing in court on December 10, 2020, due to his deteriorating health.

He also stated that he has responsible sureties who are ready to stand for him if granted bail.

But the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, while adjourning the case shortly after counsel in the matter announced appearances said it is not convenient for the court to hear the bail application today.

Justice Abang, however, adjourned the case till February 1, 2021.

Meanwhile, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its meeting on Wednesday, 20th January 2021, approved a new retirement age for teachers in the country.

The FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari reviewed the retirement age of teachers in the country upwards from 60 to 65 years and also move their years of service from 35 to 40 years.

Approval was also given for special working conditions for teachers including the introduction of bursary award, special rural posting allowances, and other incentives to boost the morale of the current crop of teachers and attract the best hands to the profession.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu made the developments known while addressing newsmen after the weekly FEC meeting which held virtually at the council chambers of the presidential villa in Abuja.

The Minister noted that a bill titled “Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers Bill, 2021” will now be forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration and approval so as to legalize the changes approved by the Federal Executive Council.