The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Pension scam

  • Pension scam: Reps summons Emefiele over N33bn deductions

    The House of Representatives, on Thursday, asked the Gov. of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, to appear before it over alleged discrepancies in the remittance of N33 billion pension deductions by National Pension Commission (PenCom).

    The House also invited the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris, to appear alongside Emefiele before its Ad hoc Committee to Investigate the Activities of (PenCom) and its Administrators on Tuesday, April 9.

    Johnson Agbonayinma (APC-Edo), the Chairman of the committee, gave the directive at a public hearing in Abuja.

    He said the invitation was necessary to clarify noticeable discrepancies in the pension deductions claimed to have remitted by Aisha Dahir-Umar, Acting Director-General of PenCom.

    He added that submissions by the apex bank governor and the AGF would guide the committee in wrapping up the investigative hearing.

    According to him, the outcome of the investigation is in the interest of Nigerian pensioners and the public.

    ”This ad hoc committee invites the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) to appear before it on Tuesday, April 9, to clarify issues surrounding the money claimed to have been remitted by PenCom,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Union of Contributory Pensioners (NUCP) has said that “the new pension scheme has compounded, rather than alleviating problems faced by retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme.”

    In a memorandum submitted to the ad -hoc committee by the union and signed by its leaders, Messrs U.C. Ekpo and Emezuru Eugene, NUCP attributed the problems faced by contributory pensioners to some of the faulty provisions of the 2014 Pension Act (as amended).

    Read also: PenCom launches micro pension tomorrow

    ”From the look of things, the whole essence of the new pension scheme is to create capital for the Pension Fund Administrators (PFA) to maximise profits and enrich themselves.

    ”Worse still, PenCom, which is empowered to strictly enforce the Pension Reform Act in regulating the activities of PFAs and Pension Custodians, has become a violator of the same Act in many ways,” they said.

    The union identified alleged unwholesome practices by PenCom to include lack of review of contributors’ pension every five years as provided in Section 173 (3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    Others include persistent delays in payment of retirees’ benefits to over 2 years; lack of standardised template and transparency in computation of lump sums paid after retirement; and gender inequality in the payment of lump sums, which they argued, contravenes the Pension Reform Act.

    The NUCP further noted that the sum total of anomalies and injustices perpetrated by PenCom in its implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme led to suffering, pain and premature death of pensioners in Nigeria.

    They, however, called on PenCom to confine itself to its functions as a regulator rather than meddling in the union’s activities. (NAN)

  • Reps summon Okonjo-Iweala, Maina, Malami, others over pension scam

    Reps summon Okonjo-Iweala, Maina, Malami, others over pension scam

    THE House of Representatives has given former Minister of Finance  Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala four working days to appear before its committee investigating pension reform.

    Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele was also expected to appear before the lawmakers for explanations on the alleged stealing of the funds.

    The Anayo Nnebe-led ad hoc  committee investigating the activities of the Presidential Task Force on Pensions Reforms from 2010 to the time of its dissolution and any other successor agency said no representation would be allowed.

    Nnebe said those invited must appear in person.

    Also to appear are former Chairman of the defunct Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms Abdulraheed Maina, former members of the Task Force, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, Head of Service of the Federation Winifred Eyo-Ita, former Head of Service, Stephen Orosanye and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami.

    Others are Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and relevant stakeholders in the pension sector.

    At the opening of the public hearing yesterday, Nnebe said the physical appearance of those summoned was purely on an account of accountability and thoroughness, adding that the  committee would not entertain any representation.

    He said: “The issue is very simple. We have heard from PTAD and the Legislative Watch. Former minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela, all the member of the defunct Presidential committee, EFCC, ICPC, Attorney-General, Governor of Central Bank, the IGP, and all the relevant stakeholders are invited by this committee.

    “On Monday, March 12, 2018, we expect that in the next adjournment, all stakeholders would be here.”

    The Speaker Yakubu Dogara, who was represented by the Chief Whip of the House, Pally Iriase, said: “The subject of this investigation has had a checkered history and has become very controversial. I understand that the Senate is also conducting investigations on the subject.

    “As a bicameral legislature, our constituents have inundated us with complaints that gave rise to the resolution of the House. Where possible, you should compare notes with the Senate while maintaining the independence of your investigations.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Niger assembly, Civil Service Commission clash over pension scam

    Niger assembly, Civil Service Commission clash over pension scam

    The Niger State House of Assembly is at loggerheads with the Civil Service Commission over 30 civil servants allegedly involved in a scam.
    The commission, which investigated the matter, had penalised the civil servants for the alleged offence, a development that did not go down well with the lawmakers. As a result, the legislators passed a vote of no confidence on the commission Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Eben.
    The House of Assembly had demanded a report on the staff investigation that gave rise to the action from the commission, but the chairman refused to release the result, saying that it impeded the commission’s role as enshrined in the law.
    The legislators moved against Eben, after receiving a briefing from the Clerk of the Assembly, Alhaji Abdullahi Kagara, who claimed that the commission violated laid down rules in its investigation.
    The member representing Munya Constituency, Hon. John Paul Bahago, moved that the failure to comply with the house’s directive was an affront to the legislature and the constitution and should not be condoned. The Chairman of the House Committee on Labour, Hon. Malik Bosso, said the committee made fruitless efforts to get the required documents from the commission’s chairman. But, he added that all entreaties fell on deaf ears.
    The Speaker, Hon. Marafa Guni, put the motion before the house and it was adopted unanimously through a voice vote.
    However, the chairman of the commission has defended his action, saying that he acted based on the provisions of the constitution, where special provisions supersede general provisions.
    He said the commission discovered through its investigation that civil servants were involved in pension scam that amounted to billions of naira.

  • Drama as Reps panel fails to prove alleged pension scam

    Drama as Reps panel fails to prove alleged pension scam

    The Managing Director (MD) of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Seyi Sijuwade has been asked by the House of Representatives to produce contractors that that handled rail construction/rehabilitation projects between 2010 and 2014.

    The MD was requested to produce the contractors as Ehiozuwa Agbonanyima-led ad hoc Committee investigating the project complained that it could not get letters of invitation to the companies even with the addresses provided by the MD.

    However, attempt by the Committee to prove a connection between the NRC and a request for return of N2b pension fund on the management of the corporation by the Committee failed as the MD and his team defended the allegation.

    Trouble began when the Committee, acting on documents before it, asked the MD to explain all he knew and reason behind his request to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) for a return of N2b or 20 percent of the corporation’s pension fund to the corporation sometime December, 2014.

    In his response, Sijuwade, who was reminded of being on oath, denied making such request to either the AGF or Minister of Finance to return any pension money to NRC.

    “I never at any time make any request to the AGF to return N2b pension fund to the corporation,” he said.

    Insistent on getting to the root of the matter, the Committee asked the Director of Finance, Felix Njoku to take an oath in order to take questions regarding the issue.

    Njoku did and replied affirmatively that there was never any correspondence from his office to the AGF on return of the said pension money.

    Not satisfied, the Committee veered into what the organization did with N2b that was in the corporations’ coffers around the period under review.

    The Finance Director explained that the money was not related to pension and was used to fund on-going contracts at the time.

    He was asked to list the contracts, which he said was impossible at that point but that all transactions were duly documented.

    He promised to make available the records.

    On the issue of contract agreements signed without major signatories but witnessed by the MD and the Secretary, it was explained by a member of the Committee that it was the standard practice for MD and Secretary to witness the seal of the organization in contract agreements.

    The Committee also faulted the award of Jebba Lagos to Costain Construction Company, claiming that it has no competence in railway projects.

    The MD however replied that Costain went through due process and found competent by the approving authority, adding that being a reliable compnay, the company has successfully completed its project.

     

  • Pension Scam: Coalition of civil society wants Maina prosecuted

    Pension Scam: Coalition of civil society wants Maina prosecuted

    Coalition of Civil Society Group for Transparency and Good Governance (CCSGTGG) has called for the prosecution of former chairman of defunct Pension Task Team, Alhaji Abdulrashid Maina over an alleged embezzlement of N100 billion pension funds.

    The President of CCSGTGG, Comrade Ali Abacha at a news conference in Abuja Tuesday said since Abdulrashid Maina has been indicted by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Public Petition and Privileges after a thorough investigation on the Senate Pension scam, he should be prosecuted and face the full wrath of the law.

    He called on the relevant security agencies to prosecute Alhaji Abdulrashid Maina to serve as deterrent to others.

    The group described the allegation of N3billion bribe on the Senate Joint Committee on Pension Investigation and its chairman, Senator Aloysious Etuk, as a calculated ploy to smear the image of the committee and its leadership, adding that Maina was only “chasing shadows instead of doing himself the honour of refunding the excessive pension refund he diverted for personal use, without recourse to the plight of the highly battered retirees.”

    His words: “We the coalition of civil society groups can assure Maina that we shall mobilise all Nigerians, particularly retirees and pensioners alike to forestall the likes of Abdulrashid Maina from being given or appointed into any public office any more in this country, not even in his home state or local government.

    “We, therefore, make bold to state that no amount of sponsored blackmail on the Senate Joint Committee on Pension Investigation or on the integrity of Senator Aloysius Etuk will derail the thought pattern of Nigerians, particularly the pensioners from continuous call on Maina to refund the massive pension fund he (Maina) personally amassed as the chairman of the defunct Pension.”

  • Pension: Six officials’ trial adjourned to September 24

    The trial of six persons indicted in the police pension scam was on Thursday adjourned to September 24.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed a 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and conspiracy against a suspended permanent secretary, Atiku Kigo; Esai Dangabar, Ahmed Wada, Sani Zira, John Yusuf and Veronica Onyegbula.

    The adjournment was due to the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf.

    Baba-Yusuf, who was said to be indisposed, gave his consent for an adjournment.

    The new date was agreed on by the prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) and the defence lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that at the last sitting of the court on February 27, Baba-Yusuf had agreed to the tendering of a document by the prosecution counsel.

    The judge said the document which contains analysis of cheques withdrawals and a copy of certificate from the EFCC, substantially complied with section 84 of the Evidence Act.

    “I think the arguments were heightened because learned counsel to the defence maintained that the documents sought to tender did not comply strictly with section 85 sub (2 and 4) of the evidence act, and that the documents were hear-say,” he said.

    The judge admitted the documents in evidence and marked it as exhibits P6A and P6B.

  • Pension scam suspect dies in police custody

    Pension scam suspect dies in police custody

    SUSPECT in the N1 billion pension scam uncoverd at the  Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Mrs. Ifeoma Onyeabo, has died in detention.

    Mrs. Onyeabo, a former secretary to the corporation, died in the custody of the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), barely five days after being transferred to Abuja.

    The late Mrs. Onyeabo was among five other suspects transferred to the FCID from the Railway Police Command at Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

    Her Murano Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), which was seized from her when the police began investigation into the scam, was  seen parked at the Railway Police premises last week.

    Her death was being openly discussed at the NRC Headquarters last weekend amid fears that it may affect the investigation.

    Other suspects transferred to Abuja were said to have been returned to the Railway Police Command in Lagos for further investigation.

    A worker, who pleaded for anonymity, said the “unending investigation,” may have worsened the suspects’ health.

    He said: “How many weeks would it take the police to conclude their investigation, since there are no fresh leads. The police should begin the prosecution of the suspects. These suspects have been detained for more than four weeks and during this period, they have been denied access to their lawyers and doctors. Their long incarceration may trigger other complications.“

    A top management official, who asked not to be named, said the management was not culpable in the “unfortunate” turn of events.

    The official said the management was proactive, setting up a panel to investigate the scam immediately it blew open.

    He said: “We immediately submitted the panel’s report to the Board and the police were invited to begin investigation and what happened thereafter is outside the control of the NRC management.”

  • Pension scam: Court orders ex- accountant’s arrest

    A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Wednesday issued a bench warrant for arrest of Babatunde Abisuga, a former accountant in the Federal Civil Service Commission (FSSC), for failure to attend his trial.

    The EFCC, in April 2012, arraigned Abisuga and Mohammed Ndakupe on 12 –count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and stealing of N109 million belonging to FSSC pensioners.

    Justice Maryann Anenih gave the order following absence of the accused in court.

    Anenih also ordered that his surety should appear at the next adjourned date and give reasons for the absence of the accused.

    “This case is slated for ruling on the application for stay of execution filed by the accused which is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

    “The accused is supposed to be in court by 9am.

    “The court will not wait for the accused to attend his criminal trial.

    “ The court hereby revokes the bail earlier granted, bench warrant of arrest is hereby issued against him and his surety must appear before the court to show cause,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the judge as saying on Wednesday.

    Earlier, EFCC counsel, Mr. Silvanus Tahir, argued that the absence of the accused was a deliberate attempt to slow down the prosecution of the case.

    Tahir said that the accused did not give cogent reasons for his absence.

  • ICPC writes NRC over N1 billion pension scam

    ICPC writes NRC over N1 billion pension scam

    The N1 billion pension scam over which two directors and nine others were fired at the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) is threatening to tear the corporation apart.

    One of the fired directors is alleging that he did not act alone, naming a top management staff member as the one who approved the pension funds he audited.

    The director’s protest was said to have stalled the immediate implementation of the report which indicted him and others.

    On April 16, the Bamanga Tukur- led board mandated the management to implement the recommendations of the Fidet Okhiria panel set up to investigate the fraud.

    But the management was said to have taken its time in carrying out the directive.

    “From all indication, it is clear that the management is afraid to wield the big stick to avoid opening a can of worms on scams that have been perpetrated in the pension fund over the years,” a source said.

    It was gathered that three years ago, a director was sacked by the management for alleged fraud.

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has written the NRC management requesting for details of the fraud.

    One of the indicted directors and another official have been arrested by the Nigeria Railway Police Command.

    A Murano Sports Utility Van (SUV) belonging to another top official has been withdrawn and now parked on the premises of the Nigeria Railway Police at Ebute-Meta in Lagos, in connection with the investigation.

    Some offices are still locked at the corporation, pending the outcome of the investigation.

    The 2014 Pension Reform Bill passed by the National Assembly recommends 10-year jail term for pension thieves. It also recommends a three-fold refund of stolen pension cash and the forfeiture of all properties acquired with the stolen money.

    Meanwhile the NRC management has elevated some managers.

    Those promoted are the District Manager Eastern District, Mr Felix Njoku, who becomes the Acting Director of Finance.

    Mrs Adun Oshunmakinde, who becomes the Deputy Director of Finance and Mrs Adetunji has been named Assistant Director of Pensions.

  • Pension Scam: Court admits EFCC documents against accused

    An FCT High Court on Thursday admitted the EFCC`s analysis of cheques allegedly used by Esai Dangabar, former Director of the Police Pension Board and five others, to commit the N20.8 billion fraud.

    Dangabar is standing trial alongside Atiku Kigo, Inuwa Wada, John Yusufu, Mrs. Veronica Onyegbula and Sani  Zira.

    In his ruling, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, held that the document, which was sought to be tendered by the prosecution counsel, was fully certified and not a hear-say as alleged by counsel to the defence.

    Baba-Yusuf said that the analysis of the withdrawal cheques and a copy of certificate from the EFCC had substantially complied with section 84 of the Evidence Act.

    “I think that the arguments were heightened because learned counsel to the defence maintained that the documents sought to tender did not comply strictly with section 85 sub (2 and 4) of the evidence act, and that the documents were hear-say,” he said.

    The judge admitted the documents in evidence and marked as exhibits P6A and P6B.

    At the last adjourned date on March 11, the EFCC Counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, craved the indulgence of the court to tender the analyses of the withdrawal cheques and certificate from EFCC in evidence.

    Jacobs submitted that the argument of the defence should not stand, arguing that the documents substantially complied with the provisions of the act.

    He said they should be admitted in evidence “because the document contains the stamp, date and signature of the investigating officer”.

    However, both counsel to the defence opposed the admissibility of the document.

    Counsel to Kigo, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), also opposed the admissibility of the document.

    Awomolo argued that the document sought to be tendered was a reproduction of the First Bank document.

    He said that it was a photocopy of a document emanating from EFCC, which he said, was a public institution.

    He further argued that the document, which was computer-generated, did not meet the requirements of certification based on the provisions of the evidence act.

    He, therefore, urged the court to reject the document.

    While opposing the application, counsel to the second accused, Mr Lateef  Fagbemi (SAN), urged the court to reject the document.

    He said it was mandatory in the act for the certification of every document to be admitted in evidence.

    Counsel to the third accused (Wada), Hasan Liman (SAN), also objected to its admissibility.

    Liman argued that before any document was admissible in law, there must be strict adherence to the provisions of the act.

    He urged the court to apply section 85, sub-section 5 of the act, dealing with strict adherence to the law in admissibility of documents.

    He submitted that the witness did not comply strictly with the provisions of that section, adding that being a public document; it ought to be strictly certified.

    “I submit that the witness did not convince the court whether there was intervention and whether the computer did not break down, whereby some information will be missing in the process.”

    He said that only the first and last pages of the document were certified, adding that it contravened sub-section 5 of the evidence act.

    The judge adjourned the case to March 17 for continuation of hearing.