By Obinna Uballa
Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), has been hospitalised after collapsing on the staircase just outside his office , his media assistant, Emmanuel Nweke, confirmed.
According to Nweke, Maina lost his balance while accessing the office on Tuesday, hitting his head on the staircase before passing out. The aide attributed the incident to complications from an untreated knee injury the ex-pension reform boss has been struggling with.
“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,” read the statement issued on Wednesday.
Medical personnel at the scene administered first aid, after which Maina was rushed to a private hospital in Abuja for urgent medical attention. He is currently under close medical care and observation, according the statement.
“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,” Nweke added.
The former pension boss’s family and medical team are monitoring his progress and have appealed to the public for prayers, understanding, and respect for their privacy during this critical period.
Maina, who recently completed an eight-year jail sentence following a federal high court conviction for pension fraud, was sentenced in November 2021 for stealing over N2 billion from pensioners, many of whom died before benefiting from the funds. The conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal in May 2023.
During his trial, Maina had previously collapsed in the courtroom, and prison wardens had to wheel him into proceedings. At one point, the court ordered the deputy comptroller of the correctional service to examine him to assess his health.
