The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, arraigned five staff of Sokoto State Pension Board for allegedly diverting N500 million.
The suspects identified as Abubakar Aliyu-Secretary, Hassana Moyi-Director of Finance and Supply, Haliru Ahmad -Deputy Director of Finance and Supply, Kabiru Ahmad-Accountant and Dahiru Muhammad Isa- Cashier of the board were arraigned before the Sokoto High Court on 28 count-charge bordering on forgery, criminal breach of trust and misappropriation.
The EFCC Zonal Head, Usman Bawa Kaltungo said the suspects diverted the money meant for payment of gratuities and pension to retired teachers.
Kaltungo stated that the suspects forged vouchers and withdrew the money in tranches.
He further revealed that the commission acted on a petition brought to them by one of the pensioners.
“Investigations revealed that between January 17, 2017 and March, 2020, the Director of Finance withdrew the sum of N83.2 million from their account with Polaris Bank.
“During the same period, Haliru and Kabiru withdrew 203,217,770.71 and 266,567,053 respectively from the same account in the name of pensioners.
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“We had to pay for the transport fares of some of the pensioners before they could come and testify. They were shocked to find out that their long awaited pensions and gratuities had been diverted,” he said.
He said the case was adjourned till June 28 for continuation of trial.
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