By Ankeli Emmanuel (Sokoto)
No fewer than 5 management staff of the Sokoto State Primary Pension Board have been dragged to High Court for allegations bordering on forgery, criminal breach of trust as well as diversion of money amounting to N553.985,644.1
Explaining reasons for their arraignment, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Sokoto zonal office said the money was meant for the payment of retired teacher's gratuities and pension.
According to EFCC, those staff facing trial for the diversion include, Abubakar Aliyu, Hassana Moyi, Haliru Ahmad, Kabiru Ahmad, and Dahiru Muhammad Isa who were Secretary, Director of Finance and Supply, deputy Director of Finance and Supply, Accountant and Cashier of the board respectively.
While noting that they were to give a 28 count-charge bordering on forgery, criminal breach of trust, and misappropriation contrary to sections 92 (2), 311 of the Penal Code law CAP 89, Laws of Northern Nigeria and Sections 351, 353, 348 of the Sokoto Penal Code law 2019, Sokoto EFCC Head, Usman Bawa Katungun added that they were accused of using forged vouchers to withdraw and share monies meant for the payment of pension and gratuities of primary school teachers in the State.
While noting that the money was withdrawn in tranches, Kaltungo who said they acted on a petition brought to them by one of the affected pensioners who revealed that between January 17, 2017, and March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.
"We had to pay for the transport fares of some of the pensioners before they could come and testify and they were shocked to find out that their long-awaited pensions and gratuities had been diverted," he said.
Though the case was adjourned till June, 28 for the continuation of trial, an official of the EFCC who preferred anonymity said they were shocked that despite the withdrawals, nothing reasonable has been recovered from them, a development that arouse their suspicion of either they are being used by some top officials. NNL.
