EFCC: N1.05bn Recovered for Disengaged Adamawa Teachers After Court Order

• The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recovered N1,054,919,532.61 for 659 disengaged staff of the Adamawa State Post-Primary Schools Management Board.
• The funds represent outstanding entitlements owed to the former employees, who were disengaged in 2014 after their 2012 appointments were declared illegal.
• The recovery followed a 2024 petition by Abraham B. Song and an EFCC investigation into the state government's alleged non-compliance with a court order to pay the entitlements.
• The National Industrial Court of Nigeria had previously ordered the Adamawa State Government to pay the entitlements, leading to garnishee proceedings when the order was not allegedly followed.
• EFCC's Gombe Zonal Directorate intervened to preserve the funds after receiving intelligence about potential misapplication, ultimately facilitating their restitution.

This handover represents a pivotal moment, concluding a years-long struggle for the disengaged staff to reclaim their rightful entitlements and underscoring the importance of persistent legal and investigative efforts in securing justice.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently facilitated the return of over N1 billion to a group of former educators in Adamawa State. Specifically, the EFCC's Gombe Zonal Directorate presented a bank draft totaling N1,054,919,532.61 to 659 individuals who were previously employed by the Adamawa State Post-Primary Schools Management Board. This significant recovery represents outstanding entitlements owed to these disengaged staff members, marking a crucial step in their long-standing battle for justice.

The handover took place on a Thursday, following an extensive investigation by the anti-graft agency into a petition concerning the non-payment of these funds. Dele Oyewale, the Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, confirmed the successful restitution of the funds to the beneficiaries, underscoring the commission's commitment to its mandate.

The protracted dispute originated in 2012 when the Adamawa State Government employed the affected individuals. These 659 staff members served for 29 months across various secondary schools throughout the state. However, their employment was controversially declared illegal by the state government in 2014, leading to their disengagement.

In response, the affected workers initiated legal proceedings at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, specifically the Yola Judicial Division, which convened in Jos. The court subsequently issued an order compelling the state government to settle all outstanding entitlements owed to the disengaged staff. The path to recovery began with a formal petition submitted to the EFCC in 2024 by Abraham B. Song, who brought to light the plight of these former employees and the state government's alleged failure to comply with the court's directive.

The alleged non-compliance with the court order ultimately triggered garnishee proceedings against the state government’s financial accounts, aiming to enforce the court's judgment. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's involvement became critical when it received intelligence suggesting a potential risk of suspicious misapplication of the funds intended for the former teachers. This intelligence prompted the commission to take proactive measures to safeguard the monies.

The EFCC consequently moved to preserve these funds, ensuring they remained intact pending the conclusion of its comprehensive investigation. This decisive action was instrumental in preventing further diversion or loss, ultimately paving the way for the successful recovery and restitution to the rightful beneficiaries. Austine Adache, the Acting Zonal Director for the Gombe Zonal Directorate and an Assistant Commander of the EFCC, underscored the commission's unwavering dedication to upholding accountability and delivering justice, affirming its commitment to ensuring victims of financial misconduct receive appropriate redress.

The successful recovery and handover were met with appreciation from those involved. Luka Musa Haruna, SAN, the legal counsel representing the beneficiaries, formally accepted the bank draft on their behalf. Haruna publicly commended the EFCC for its thorough investigation and effective recovery efforts, reiterating his consistent confidence in the commission's capability to combat economic and financial crimes across Nigeria.

Similarly, Abraham B. Song, the petitioner whose action initiated the EFCC's involvement, expressed gratitude for the commission's timely intervention. Song highlighted that the recovered funds would significantly alleviate the financial losses and considerable hardship endured by the affected workers over the years. This handover represents a pivotal moment, concluding a years-long struggle for the disengaged staff to reclaim their rightful entitlements and underscoring the importance of persistent legal and investigative efforts in securing justice.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Newspapers