The Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally transferred the documentation of properties comprising 324 houses to pensioners in Kano State. This action follows a final forfeiture order granted by Justice I.E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The transfer of ownership stems from a thorough investigation conducted by the Commission into the misappropriation of N4.1 billion from the Pension Trust Fund, contributed by pensioners for the acquisition of residential properties. Regrettably, this fund was deceitfully withheld from the pensioners by two consecutive administrations in Kano State.
The EFCC’s inquiry was initiated in response to a petition filed by Concerned Kano State Workers and Pensioners regarding the alleged mismanagement of pension funds within the state. Subsequent investigations revealed that the state government had engaged in a tripartite agreement with the Kano State Pension Trust Fund to construct housing estates, with a total budget of N41 billion. Out of this sum, the Pension Trust Fund was designated to contribute N4.1 billion. However, it was discovered that the contributions made by the pensioners were diverted towards the construction of residential estates in three locations within Kano State: Sheikh Ja’afar Mahmud Adam Bandirawo City, Sheikh Nasiru Kabara (Amana) City, and Sheikh Khalifa Ishaq Rabiu City. Shockingly, two former governors of the state illicitly appropriated and distributed these houses among their associates, leaving the pension trustees with incomplete and inadequately funded projects.
Intervening in this gross misconduct, the EFCC diligently pursued legal action, culminating in the acquisition of a final forfeiture order pertaining to the 324 properties, which were subsequently transferred to the Kano State Pension Fund Trustees.
During the formal handover ceremony on Monday, March 18, 2024, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Adeniyi Adebayo, reiterated the Commission’s unwavering commitment to combating fraudulent activities nationwide.
Representatives from the Kano State Pension Board, namely Alhaji Hassan Muhammed Aminu, Kubra Ahmad Bichi, and Salisu Yakubu Abubakar, expressed profound gratitude to the EFCC for its invaluable assistance in reclaiming the rightful ownership of these properties on behalf of the workers and pensioners.
