Former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina, collapsed outside his office on Tuesday.
This was confirmed in a statement by his Media Assistant, Emmanuel Nweke.
Nweke said Maina lost his balance while trying to enter the office, fell on the staircase, and hit his head before losing consciousness.
He attributed the incident to complications arising from an untreated knee injury that the former pension reform task team boss has been battling.
According to the statement, medical personnel at the scene immediately administered first aid before Maina was taken to a private hospital in Abuja for urgent medical care.
Nweke said Maina is currently under close medical supervision and remains on observation.
He added that after an initial medical assessment, one of the attending doctors advised that preparations should be made for an air ambulance evacuation if his condition does not stabilise within a short period.
“The family and medical team are closely monitoring his progress,” the statement said, adding that the family appealed to the public for prayers, understanding, and respect for privacy at this time.
Maina Battle With EFCC
Maina was recently released from Kuje Correctional Centre, where he served a prison sentence following his conviction for pension fraud.
In November 2021, the Federal High Court, Abuja convicted him on charges bordering on money laundering involving over N2 billion.
He was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in October 2019 but pleaded not guilty to a 12-count charge.
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In his judgment, Okon Abang, the trial judge, held that Maina diverted more than N2 billion belonging to pensioners, “most of whom have died without reaping the fruits of their labour”.
In May 2023, the Court of Appeal upheld his conviction and the eight-year prison sentence.
During his trial at the lower court, Maina was at one point wheeled into the courtroom by two prison wardens.
The court had earlier directed the deputy comptroller of the Nigerian Correctional Service to personally examine him to ascertain the true state of his health.
In December 2020, Maina also collapsed while in court.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
