₦738.6m Fraud Case: Judge Explodes As Maina Pushes Court’s Patience To The Limit

Justice Abubakar Kutigi issued the warning after Maina’s defence team requested yet another adjournment, relying on a hospital referral letter that failed to state any specific medical condition.

Expressing frustration, the judge said the trial had dragged on for nearly four years, largely due to what he described as the defendant’s repeated tactics to stall proceedings. He noted that despite numerous opportunities to respond to the fraud charges, Maina had consistently avoided active participation in his defence.

Justice Kutigi revealed that he had obtained assurances from the defence that the case would proceed whether or not Maina was physically present in court, thereby rejecting the latest adjournment request.

Following the ruling, prosecution counsel Francis Usani called the 14th prosecution witness, Gogi Mohammed, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mohammed told the court that Maina allegedly diverted public funds using staff of the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF) through fake contracts, unlawful allowances, and a biometric enrolment exercise purportedly conducted for pensioners.

The witness further disclosed that multiple assets linked to Maina were traced to a relative, Maimuna Usman, in Kaduna. A search of her residence reportedly uncovered documents for more than 30 properties, mostly in Abuja and Kaduna, which were allegedly transferred to her by Maina.

According to Mohammed, some of the properties were purchased outright with cash, including a house in Jabi, Abuja, allegedly bought for $2 million, another in Life Camp acquired for $1.7 million, and a property on Katoru Road in Kaduna purchased for ₦100 million.

He added that the EFCC has filed an application seeking the forfeiture of the properties, as the ₦738.6 million fraud trial continues despite Maina’s absence.