The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, has ordered that former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Taskforce Team, Abulrasheed Maina,be remanded  in prison, till the end of his trial.

Justice Okon Abang made the order granting an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s prosecution counsel, Mr Mohammed Abubakar.

Maina who is being tried by the EFCC on N2bn money laundering charges had jumped bail and fled to the Republic of Niger but was produced in court for the first time on Friday following his extradition to Nigeria earlier on Thursday.

While ruling on the EFCC’s application for a remand order, Justice Abang said, “The defendant is already on bench warrant having jumped bail.

“So he shall be remanded in correctional centre pending the conclusion of the trial.”

A lawyer, Adaji Abel, who newly took over Maina’s defence on Friday, appealed to the judge to adjourn the case to enable him to prepare adequately for the case.

The judge acceded to the request and adjourned till December 8.