Former Pension Boss Maina Collapses, Rushed to Abuja Hospital
Abdulrasheed Maina, the former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), has been hospitalized after collapsing outside his office on Tuesday, according to his media assistant, Emmanuel Nweke. The incident, which occurred while Maina was attempting to access the building, led to him losing his balance and falling down a staircase, causing a head injury.
In a statement issued by his aide, Nweke attributed the fall to complications arising from an untreated knee injury, which had reportedly been affecting Maina’s ability to walk properly.
“The incident occurred following complications from an untreated knee injury, which caused him to lose balance and fall, resulting in his head hitting the staircase,” the statement read.
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Medical personnel who were on the scene immediately provided first aid, and Maina was subsequently rushed to a private hospital in Abuja for urgent medical care. “Dr. Maina is currently receiving close medical care and remains under observation,” Nweke added. The statement also revealed that, based on an initial medical evaluation, one of the attending doctors advised that Maina might need an air ambulance for further treatment if his condition did not stabilize quickly.
Maina’s family and medical team have requested the public’s prayers, understanding, and respect for their privacy during this challenging period. As of now, Maina’s condition remains under close monitoring.
The former pension reform boss has had a turbulent few years, with his legal battles and time in prison making headlines. Recently, Maina was released from Kuje Correctional Centre after serving a sentence for his role in a massive pension fraud scandal. In November 2021, he was convicted by a Federal High Court in Abuja for money laundering involving over ₦2 billion. The court ruled that Maina had embezzled pension funds, which impacted numerous pensioners, many of whom had already passed away without receiving their rightful pensions.
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The conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal in May 2023, which also maintained the eight-year jail sentence. During his trial, Maina’s health became a significant issue, with reports of him being wheeled into court by prison wardens, prompting the court to order a personal health evaluation of Maina by the Deputy Comptroller of the Nigerian Correctional Service. This is not the first time Maina has experienced health problems during legal proceedings. In December 2020, he collapsed during a court session.