Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman, the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), says he is suffering from a life-threatening disease and needs urgent medical attention.

Mr Maina told Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court in an ex-parte motion filed by his lawyer, Israel Obaniyi.

The motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1729/2022 was dated and filed on September 27.

Mr Maina (the applicant) listed the minister of interior and controller general of the Nigerian Correctional Services Centre as the first and second respondents, respectively.

In the application, Mr Maina, who is currently serving his jail term at Kuje Prison, prayed the court for an interim order directing the minister and the controller general to immediately take him to a reputable and recognised hospital for treatment of his life-threatening disease pending the hearing and determination of his originating motion.

He also prayed for an order granting him leave to effect the service of the order, the originating motion and other subsequent processes on the respondents by substituted means.

Giving 10 grounds why the motion should be granted, Mr Maina said the failure to treat the diseases/illnesses he is suffering had led to his incapacitation and deterioration of his health.

According to him, there is already a likelihood of contravention or infringement of the applicant’s rights to life, the dignity of human person and freedom from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

“Applicant is in a critical health condition that requires urgent medical attention, hence the need for prayer one on the face of this application.

“Applicant’s fundamental rights to life, dignity of human person and freedom from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment are seriously under challenge and continually being breached by the respondents,” the motion read.

He said it was in the interest of justice to grant his application.

After Ibrahim Idris, who appeared for Mr Maina, took the motion upon resumed hearing, Mr Ekwo granted leave for Mr Maina to effect service of the order and other processes on the minister through any member of staff of the Ministry of Interior, Abuja.

The judge also directed that all processes for the controller general be delivered to any officer of the Correctional Services Centre at the headquarters in Abuja.

Mr Ekwo consequently ordered the applicant to put the respondents on notice within three days of the order and adjourned the matter until October 24 for motion.

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court had, on November 8, 2021, convicted and sentenced Mr Maina to eight years’ imprisonment for misappropriating N2 billion pension fund while serving as chairman of PRTT.

(NAN)