Maina is feigning ailments to escape from custody, minister, NCoS tell court
The Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, and Haliru Nababa, Controller General (C-G), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), say Abdulrasheed Maina is feigning ailments to aid his escape from lawful custody.
The minister and the C-G made the allegation in their joint counter affidavit in opposition to Maina’s originating motion filed before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja.
In the application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1719/22, dated and filed Oct. 31, the duo said “it has become glare from intelligence report at their disposal that the applicant (Maina) only feigns the ailments for him to be taken out of the custodial facility to aid his escape from lawful custody.”
The application was deposed to by Chief Superintendent of Correction, Diamond Bako, who was an officer in charge of clinic at Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Maina, the former Chairman, defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), had, on Oct. 17, filed a motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1729/2022.
Maina (the applicant) listed the minister and the C-G of NCoS as 1st and 2nd respondents respectively, in a motion dated and filed on Sept. 27.
Maina, who is currently serving an eight-year jail term at Kuje Prison for pension fraud to the tune of N2 billion, had told the court that he is suffering from a life-threatening disease in the prison and he needs urgent medical attention.
The ex-pension reformed boss prayed court for an interim order directing the minister and the C-G, via their staff or agents, to immediately take him to a reputable and recognised hospital for treatment of his life-threatening diseases pending the hearing and determination of his originating motion.
Reacting, the respondents, in the counter affidavit, said contrary to Maina’s claim, he was never refused access to medical services, but that Maina would not be allowed to hide under medical services to escape from lawful custody.
(Vanguard)
