At the continuation of the trial of the former chairman of Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the court acceded to the application of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to present a masked witness.
Crimefacts.news reports that the said witness who would testify in camera is a relative of the defendant, Abdulrasheed Maina.
Arguing the application before the court, prosecution counsel, H.A. Shehu said the request to screen the witness was to protect the identity and guarantee the personal safety of the witness.
In granting the request, Justice Abang announced that the face of the witness would be screened. Additionally, he declared that all members of the bar, litigants and everyone in court, except himself, the witness, prosecution and defence teams will exit the court while the testimony and cross-examination of the witness last.
The case was adjourned till December 11, 2019.
The EFCC, is prosecuting Maina alongside his son and Common Input Properties Limited (CIPL), and others on a 12-count charge, bordering on operating fictitious bank accounts, corruption, fraud and money laundering to the tune of over N2billion.
