N12b pension scam: EFCC charges two directors, 30 others

Details: Category: Law, Crime & Judiciary; Published on Thursday, 24 March 2011 11:08; Written by Compass; Hits: 1582

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 134- count charge against Dr. Sani Teidi Shauibi, Mrs. Phina Ukamaka Chidi, Aliyu Bello and 29 others for allegedly defrauding the Pension Department in the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation of Nigeria.

The anti-graft body said they would be arraigned soon. While Shuaibu is the former Director, Pension Administration in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Chidi was the Deputy Director, Finance and Accounts, in the Pension Office. Bello was a Personal Assistant to Shuaibu.

Other accused are: Garba Abdullahi Tahir, Mohammed Katun Ahmed, Emmanuel Olanipekun, Abdullahi Omeiza, Computer Plaza, Essential Gadget Ventures, Mobis Point Investment Limited, Obista Enterprises, Shallow Well Ventures, Mof Investment Limited, Zumba Resources, Pam Investment and Properties Limited, Moshfad Enterprises, Newgate Projects Limited, RedWings Energy Limited and RedWing Procurement Services Limited, Woodland Industries Nigeria Limited.

Also blamed for the scam are: Nwab Tessy O. Enterprises, Chris J. Junior Ventures, Uthaka Nigeria Limited, Bashinta Nigeria Limited, Haleath Enterprises, Gozinda Enterprises, Omozua Ventures, S.S. Badejo Enterprises, Lopee Ventures, Fafama Oil and Gas Limited, Fafama Estate Developers Limited and Riba-Ile Petroleum Limited.

A source in the EFCC alleged that the accused persons used the names of ghost pensioners to pay N2 million and N3 million each into their accounts monthly, and later diverted the sum by awarding fictitious contracts to the above companies, which they manage.

In the suit filed by the EFCC, dated March 21, 2011, the accused were alleged to have used various fake companies to divert N12b into private use.

It was further learnt that the commission froze the latest N12b in three accounts allegedly operated by the two directors following a fresh discovery by its team of investigators.

The team had since 2010 been probing alleged massive pension fraud in the Pension Unit of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service.

Meanwhile, Shauibi and Mrs. Chidi were said to have been secretly promoted and transferred to other ministries despite the revelation of their alleged involvement in the massive fraud.