The trial of Faisal Maina, son of former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, was on Thursday stalled by the absence of counsel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mohammed Abubakar.
Mr Maina is facing charges of money laundering and false asset declaration at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The EFCC had on February 14 before Justice Okon Abang filed an amended three-count charge against Faisal.
Maina pleaded not guilty to the amended three-count charge.
At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Mr Abubakar was not in court and there was no word from the anti-graft agency on why he could not come.
However, Faisal’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, who was in court alongside the defendant, pleaded with the court on behalf of Abubakar.
“It is not in their nature for them not to come to court. It must be something beyond them for all of them not to be in court.
“I apply that the matter be adjourned to the date which is already in the court schedule. We apologise for this,” he said.
Justice Abang, who noted that the matter was adjourned at the instance of the EFCC, fixed the case to March 18 for continuation of cross-examination and trial.
