The Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken a significant step in addressing the plight of Kano State pensioners by handing over documents for properties and 324 houses recovered on their behalf.
This action follows an extensive investigation by the EFCC into the misappropriation of the N4.1 billion Pension Trust Fund meant for Kano State pensioners, which was denied to them by successive state administrations. The investigation was prompted by a petition submitted by the “Concerned Kano State Workers and Pensioners” group.
Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for the EFCC, disclosed this development in a statement issued on Monday. Oyewale highlighted that the properties were returned to the affected individuals following a final forfeiture order granted by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to Oyewale, investigations revealed that the Kano State government had entered into a tripartite agreement with the Kano State Pension Trust Fund to construct housing estates worth a total of N41 billion. Out of this sum, the Pension Trust Fund was obligated to contribute N4.1 billion. However, it was discovered that the pensioners’ contributions were instead utilized to construct houses in three estates situated in various parts of Kano state. Subsequently, two former governors of the state allegedly sold these houses at discounted rates to their associates, leaving the pension trustees with incomplete and underfunded projects.
Following the EFCC’s intervention and subsequent investigation, a final forfeiture order was obtained for the 324 properties, valued at N4.1 billion, to be returned to the Kano State Pension Fund Trustees.
During the handover ceremony of the property documents on March 18, 2024, Adeniyi Adebayo, the Abuja Zonal Commander of the EFCC, reassured the public of the agency’s commitment to combating fraudulent practices in the country.
Representatives of the Kano State Pension Board, namely Hassan Aminu, Kubra Bichi, and Salisu Abubakar, expressed their gratitude to the EFCC for facilitating the recovery of the properties, bringing relief and joy to the affected workers and pensioners.
