Faisal Maina in court on Wednesday, November 6, 2019. PHOTO Sodiq AdelakunChannels TV

THE absence of counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mohammed Abubakar, in the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday stalled hearing in suit filed against Faisal Maina, who is facing charges bordering on money laundering and false asset declaration.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EFCC, on February 14, 2020, before Justice Okon Abang, filed an amended three-count charge against Faisal, son of Abdulrasheed Maina, ex-Chairman of Pension Reform Task Team.

He pleaded not guilty to the amended three-count charge.

When the case was called yesterday at the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel Abubakar was not in court and there was no word from the anti-graft agency on why he could not come.

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.

“No problem. You are here and your defendant is here but just the prosecution,” the judge responded.

Justice Abang, who noted that the matter was adjourned at the instance of the EFCC, fixed the case for March 18 for continuation of cross-examination and trial.