A former chairman of the now-defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina, has been admitted to a hospital in Abuja after he reportedly collapsed on Tuesday.
Emmanuel Nweke, his media assistant, said the incident occurred just outside Maina’s office. According to him, Maina lost his footing while trying to enter the building, struck his head on the staircase and passed out.
Maina’s health had been a recurring issue during his trial. At one point, he was brought to court in a wheelchair by prison officials, prompting the court to order a medical assessment by senior correctional authorities.
In December 2020, the former pension reform chief also collapsed inside the courtroom.
Nweke linked the collapse to complications from a long-standing knee injury that had not been properly treated.
“The incident occurred following complications arising from an untreated knee injury, which caused him to lose balance and fall, resulting in his head hitting the staircase,” the statement read.
He said medical personnel at the scene immediately rendered first aid before Maina was taken to a private hospital in the capital for urgent care.
“Medical personnel present promptly administered first aid, after which he was rushed to a private hospital in Abuja for urgent medical attention.
“Dr. Maina is currently receiving close medical care and remains under observation,” the aide said.
Nweke added that doctors had raised the possibility of evacuating Maina by air ambulance if his condition fails to improve.
“Following preliminary medical assessment, one of the attending doctors advised that arrangements be considered for an air ambulance medical evacuation should his condition not stabilise within a short period.
“His family and medical team are closely monitoring his progress. The family appeals to the public for prayers, understanding, and respect for privacy at this critical time,” he said.
Maina was recently released from Kuje correctional centre after serving time over pension-related offences.
In November 2021, a federal high court in Abuja convicted him of money laundering involving more than N2 billion. He was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in October 2019 on a 12-count charge, to which he pleaded not guilty.
Delivering judgment, Okon Abang, the trial judge, ruled that Maina diverted over N2 billion meant for pensioners, “most of whom have died without reaping the fruits of their labour”.
The court of appeal, in May 2023, upheld both the conviction and the eight-year jail term.
