Former pensions chairman Maina on hunger strike in jail, says Patrick Akinfemi
Reporting filtering from Kuje Correctional Institution said that AbdulRasheed Maina, former chairman of the pension reform task force, has started an indefinite hunger strike to protest the denial of the management of the correctional center to comply with the directives of the doctors to allow full medical/surgical services.
Remember, Maina has been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses that require a series of surgeries and routine hospital visits.
This was in a statement released by the Secretary General of the West African Coalition for Social and Civil Rights, Comrade Patrick Akinfemi, and made available to Tribune Online on Monday evening in Kaduna.
According to Akinfemi, several SOS letters were written to the Comptroller General by Drs Folorunsho, Dr Dahilo, Dr Ojji as well as all senior consultants of Abuja Teaching Hospital, always stressing the urgency of the situation, but doctors' directives and advice were ignored.
The statement said that "the investigation also revealed that four corrections monitors, who happened to be doctors, also wrote to the CG office regarding the urgency of the situation, but he ordered the lawyers to Maina to meet with staff at Corrections Headquarters, where assistant comptrollers general and other high-ranking officers said they knew Maina's situation was critical but had their hands clenched.
>"This situation suggests that a sinister plot is being hatched by yet-to-be-identified outside personalities in conjunction with malicious elements within to ensure that his health deteriorates beyond repair until death.
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
"Recent attempts to poison him when his drink was mixed with toxic substances from a yet to be identified source within the facility have also been recorded.
“No inmate should be held in this kind of near-death situation, no inmate should be denied access to doctors and good medical facilities since Kuje Correctional Facility does not have a hospital equipped to take care of his many illnesses."
Resolution 45/111 no (9) of the United Nations General Assembly of Human Rights states that "detainees shall have access to the health services available in the country without discrimination based on their legal status" Rule 27 of the United Nations Human Rights also indicates this.
So; “Detainees must have prompt access to medical care in the event of an emergency. Detainees who require specialized treatment or surgery should be transferred to specialized facilities or civilian hospitals.
"Where a prison establishment has its own hospital facilities, these shall be adequately staffed and equipped to provide prisoners under their care with appropriate treatment and care" Article 6 on the right to life also states that every human being has the inherent right to life.
“This right is protected by law. No one may be arbitrarily deprived (as in this case) of his life. It is a universal instrument that binds all nations, including Niger,” the statement said.
A corrections staff member who requested anonymity said he saw Mr. Maina during the week looking frail and sick because he hadn't eaten.
The statement alleged: "The food brought by his sister was left outside, he also refused even to take his medicine. The tumor which was growing other roots reached his brain as blood continuously gushed of his left ear from preferred medical sources.
“Efforts to speak to the officer in charge of the facility proved futile as staff at the gate denied our staff access to the facility to view him.
“These deplorable developments are being followed with keen interest by various civil society organizations, agencies and human rights activists, both internally and externally.
“Maina deserves all of her constitutional rights to unconditional medical care. This call also extends to other inmates who are also denied these rights.”
MONDAY LINES: I support Buhari
Former pensions chairman Maina on hunger strike in jail, says Patrick Akinfemi
EDITORIAL: The Bloody Discovery in Ibadan
Former pensions chairman Maina on hunger strike in jail, says Patrick Akinfemi
Reporting filtering from Kuje Correctional Institution said that AbdulRasheed Maina, former chairman of the pension reform task force, has started an indefinite hunger strike to protest the denial of the management of the correctional center to comply with the directives of the doctors to allow full medical/surgical services.
Remember, Maina has been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses that require a series of surgeries and routine hospital visits.
This was in a statement released by the Secretary General of the West African Coalition for Social and Civil Rights, Comrade Patrick Akinfemi, and made available to Tribune Online on Monday evening in Kaduna.
According to Akinfemi, several SOS letters were written to the Comptroller General by Drs Folorunsho, Dr Dahilo, Dr Ojji as well as all senior consultants of Abuja Teaching Hospital, always stressing the urgency of the situation, but doctors' directives and advice were ignored.
The statement said that "the investigation also revealed that four corrections monitors, who happened to be doctors, also wrote to the CG office regarding the urgency of the situation, but he ordered the lawyers to Maina to meet with staff at Corrections Headquarters, where assistant comptrollers general and other high-ranking officers said they knew Maina's situation was critical but had their hands clenched.
>"This situation suggests that a sinister plot is being hatched by yet-to-be-identified outside personalities in conjunction with malicious elements within to ensure that his health deteriorates beyond repair until death.
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
"Recent attempts to poison him when his drink was mixed with toxic substances from a yet to be identified source within the facility have also been recorded.
“No inmate should be held in this kind of near-death situation, no inmate should be denied access to doctors and good medical facilities since Kuje Correctional Facility does not have a hospital equipped to take care of his many illnesses."
Resolution 45/111 no (9) of the United Nations General Assembly of Human Rights states that "detainees shall have access to the health services available in the country without discrimination based on their legal status" Rule 27 of the United Nations Human Rights also indicates this.
So; “Detainees must have prompt access to medical care in the event of an emergency. Detainees who require specialized treatment or surgery should be transferred to specialized facilities or civilian hospitals.
"Where a prison establishment has its own hospital facilities, these shall be adequately staffed and equipped to provide prisoners under their care with appropriate treatment and care" Article 6 on the right to life also states that every human being has the inherent right to life.
“This right is protected by law. No one may be arbitrarily deprived (as in this case) of his life. It is a universal instrument that binds all nations, including Niger,” the statement said.
A corrections staff member who requested anonymity said he saw Mr. Maina during the week looking frail and sick because he hadn't eaten.
The statement alleged: "The food brought by his sister was left outside, he also refused even to take his medicine. The tumor which was growing other roots reached his brain as blood continuously gushed of his left ear from preferred medical sources.
“Efforts to speak to the officer in charge of the facility proved futile as staff at the gate denied our staff access to the facility to view him.
“These deplorable developments are being followed with keen interest by various civil society organizations, agencies and human rights activists, both internally and externally.
“Maina deserves all of her constitutional rights to unconditional medical care. This call also extends to other inmates who are also denied these rights.”
MONDAY LINES: I support Buhari
Former pensions chairman Maina on hunger strike in jail, says Patrick Akinfemi
EDITORIAL: The Bloody Discovery in Ibadan
Former pensions chairman Maina on hunger strike in jail, says Patrick Akinfemi
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