ABUJA — Abdulrasheed Maina, the embattled former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), has been hospitalised following a medical emergency on Tuesday.
His media assistant, Emmanuel Nweke, confirmed in a statement that Maina “lost his balance” while climbing the stairs to his office, resulting in a fall where he hit his head on the staircase and lost consciousness.
A History of Medical and Legal Dramas
This incident is the latest in a series of health-related episodes involving the former pension chief, who has spent years in and out of the spotlight due to high-profile corruption trials:
- Corruption Conviction: Maina was previously sentenced to eight years in prison for a ₦2 billion pension fraud and money laundering scheme.
- Courtroom Collapses: The former PRTT boss famously slumped in open court during his trial in 2020, leading to a long-running debate over the authenticity of his health claims.
- Controversial Release: While the current nature of his “office” remains unclear to many, Maina has been the subject of several humanitarian appeals for his release based on deteriorating health, including concerns over his sight and cardiovascular condition.
Public Scepticism and Political Context
The news of Maina’s slump has been met with mixed reactions, appearing at a time of intense judicial activity in Abuja.
- The “Remand Season”: Maina’s hospitalization occurs as other high-profile figures from the previous era, such as Abubakar Malami, face their own days in court.
- Economic Irony: Commentators on social media have contrasted Maina’s “office fall” with the plight of the young Nigerian lady whose viral grocery video highlighted the struggle of the common man. “The elites are slumping in offices while the poor are dying in markets,” one user remarked on X.
Current Status
Medical personnel are reportedly monitoring Maina’s condition to determine the extent of the head injury sustained during the fall. No official statement has been released regarding whether this incident will affect any ongoing legal proceedings or his current status with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
