A former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina, is currently undergoing treatment for infections and hearing complications as well as hypertension, the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital has stated.
According to a report by Premium Times, the hospital also stated that Maina, a convict already serving an eight-year jail term for embezzling N2 billion in pension fund, was scheduled for a brain scan and hearing loss test.
A copy of the letter sent by the hospital to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jabi, Abuja, where Mr Maina is undergoing trial for stealing another N738 million pension fund.
The judge, Abubakar Kutigi, referred to the letter, but refused to disclose its content during Tuesday’s proceedings.
Maina was absent from the hearing and his whereabouts could not be immediately ascertained by both the prosecution and the defence.
Health conditions
A copy of the letter dated February 18, 2022 which was signed by I.O Omonua, an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) consultant surgeon at the hospital.
It summarised Mr Maina’s health conditions and his scheduled medical appointments.
“The above-named male patient being managed at our Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) clinic for the chronic fungal Rhinosinusitis to rule out cancer left maxillary antrum.
“There was associated itching in the throat, nose and ear. He complained of frequent recurrent nasal blockage, post nasal drip and difficulty when exposed to dust, perfumes and chemicals,” the letter read in part.
The doctor added that Mr Maina “has a history of episodes of vertigo”, which according to Longman dictionary is “a feeling of sickness and dizziness caused by looking down from a high place”.
Mr Omonuwa said Mr Maina’s vertigo is known to be “lasting for a few minutes and (he) has hearing loss in the left ear.”
He added that Mr Maina is also hypertensive. Although on drug, he is “poorly controlled”, the doctor noted.
The letter sent to the court to seek the judge’s permission to enable Mr Maina to keep appointments with the hospital, added that ex-pension reform boss was scheduled for examinations for hearing loss, brain scan, and pre-operative work-up between February 21 and 23.
“He has been booked to conduct hearing loss test on 21/2/2022, IVU procedure on 22/02/2022, and brain CT-Scan on 23/02/2022, for pre-operative workup.
“We hereby appeal to you to grant him the privilege of accessing medical care in our facility,” the letter added.
It was earlier reported that Mr Maina was absent from court on Tuesday.
Officials of the prison in Abuja, where he is serving an ongoing eight years sentence for money laundering, were also absent from court.
The judge, Mr Kutigi, made a passing comment about the letter he received from the hospital concerning Mr Maina. He, however, did not disclose the details or even the exact name of the hospital.
In the reaction to the letter, the prosecuting lawyer from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Attah Ocholi, as well as the defence lawyers, Anayo Adibe, representing Mr Maina, and K.O. Balogun, representing the second defendant, all said they were unaware of the letter.
This raised concerns about Mr Maina’s whereabouts.
Mr Adibe said Mr Maina’s presence in court was critical for the proceedings to go on.
But the judge requested the prosecution to communicate with the correctional service department over Mr Maina’s whereabouts.
He then adjourned the case until April 27.
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