N12bn pension scam: EFCC re-arrests ex-director, 9 others

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, re-arrested the former Director of Pension Accounts in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, OHCSF, Dr. Sani Teidi Shaibu, over his alleged complicity in the illegal diversion of pension funds.

He was arrested alongside nine other civil servants who allegedly conspired and used “third parties” to siphon monies meant for pensioners across the federation.


Among those apprehended by operatives of the anti-graft agency were former Deputy Director of Pension, Mrs. Phina Ukamaka Chidi, Garba Abdullahi Tahir, Abdul Mohammed, Emmanuel Olanipekun, Franklin Okey Nwankwo, Mohammed Ahmed Katun, Aliyu Bello, Abdullahi Omeiza, and a former manager with defunct Oceanic Bank Plc, Mr. Udusegbe Omoefe Eric.

Whereas the ex-pension boss, Shaibu, alone, was said to have connived with the Bank Manager, Omoefe, and diverted about N4.5billion from the pension fund, using nine different companies, his deputy, Phina, on the other hand, was said to have conspired with Nwankwo to siphon about N3billion through nine other companies.

Besides, Phina was equally alleged to have between 2009 and 2011, connived with a company, Pam Investments Properties Ltd, to commit an offence under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, by retaining the sum of $2million, property belonging to the Pensions Account, OHCSF.

This crime is contrary to section 16(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004 as amended.

Source : #Vanguard