Pension Scam: Perm Sec, Four Others Suspended

The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) has suspended the five serving federal civil servants recently charged to court in connection with an alleged fraud at the police pensions office.

The suspension order is contained in a statement in Abuja yesterday by Mr Tope Ajakaiye, Deputy Director, (Press and Public Relations), Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

The affected officers are Atiku Kigo, Permanent Secretary, Ahmed Wada, Director, John Yusuf, Assistant Director, Veronica Onyegbula, cashier, and Sani Zira, ICT officer.

The statement said that the suspension took effect from March 29.

Our correspondent recalls that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned the officers before the FCT High Court on March 29 on a 16-count criminal charge of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and diversion of public funds.

Meanwhile, an anti-corruption group, the International Network Against Corruption, has commended the Senator Aloysius Etok-led committee on pension probe for its effective service delivery.

A statement on Wednesday by the National Coordinator of the group, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, said the committee had performed creditably, adding that it should disregard campaigns to derail its work.

The group urged President Goodluck Jonathan to look into the Pension Reform Task Team on the allegation of illegal transfer of N3 billion of the police pension fund.

“All over the world, pension is the inalienable right of senior citizens who have served their country meritoriously in their youth.

“We are advocating for a law that will prescribe stiffer penalty for pension fund siphoners,’’ it said