The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's Abuja Zonal Command has given documents and 324 recovered houses to Kano State pensioners.
After investigating a N4.1bn Pension Trust Fund denied to Kano State pensioners by previous administrations, the EFCC recovered 324 houses and documents for the affected individuals.
The EFCC began a probe after a group called “Concerned Kano State Workers and Pensioners” filed a petition about the alleged misappropriation of pension funds in the state.
The anti-corruption agency's spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, announced the development in a statement on Monday.
According to Oyewale, the properties were handed over to the affected persons following a final forfeiture order granted by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Oyewale stated, “EFCC findings revealed that the state government made a deal with the Kano State Pension Trust Fund to construct housing estates for N41bn, with the Pension Trust Fund contributing N4.1bn.
“However, the pensioners' contribution was used to build houses in three estates in Kano state. Two former governors of the state unlawfully discounted and sold the houses to their associates, leaving the pension trustees with a limited budget and unfinished houses.
“Subsequently, the EFCC acquired a final forfeiture order for the 324 properties to the Kano State Pension Fund Trustees upon completion of the investigation.
“While handing over the documents of the 324 properties worth N4.1bn to the pensioners on Monday, March 18, 2024, the Abuja Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Adeniyi Adebayo, assured that the EFCC would continue to do its best to rid the nation of fraudulent practices.
“Representatives of the Kano State Pension Board, Hassan Aminu, Kubra Bichi and Salisu Abubakar, who received the documents on behalf of the workers and pensioners, expressed delight and joy with the EFCC for assisting them in recovering their houses.”
