Kogi state government has caught five top civil servants soiling their hands in the treasury, stealing a huge N230 Million meant for the payment of pensioners.
The Accountant-General of the state, Alhaji Yusuf Okala, who confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja today, Sunday, said that the alleged fraud was discovered in the course of the work of the Staff Screening and Verification Committee which he chairs.
“Yes, it is true. We have been able to recover N20 million from them through the efforts of the police command in the state.”
That was even as the state Auditor-General, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, said that the money would be recovered in full from the suspects. The money was said to be part of funds released by the administration of Captain Idris Wada for the payment of pensioners.
Over 9,000 retirees in the state are owed between four and five months pension arrears as a result of the alleged diversion and the lack of funds by the government.
Ododo explained that the suspects would be made to face the law, even as he commended the state government for setting up the committee for conducting the verification in the interest of the state.
He said apart from identifying ghost workers and pensioners, the committee was working to plug loopholes through which public funds were being stolen.
Ododo promised that all genuine workers and pensioners would soon be cleared for the payment of salaries and pensions.
“The screening of workers and pensioners is going to be a continuous exercise. No authentic staff or pensioner will have any cause to fear.
“Governor Yahaya Bello-led administration in the state has high regard for both workers and pensioners.
“The ongoing verification is not aimed at victimizing anybody but an effort targeted at saving money for the state to take adequate care of its responsibilities.”
NAN. [myad]
