EFCC Recovers 324 Houses Worth N4.1 Billion for Kano State Pensioners

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered 324 houses worth N4.1 billion and handed them over to the rightful owners.

The properties were fraudulently sold to cronies of two former governors of Kano State, but the Abuja Zonal Command of the EFCC stepped in to ensure justice was served.

Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Adeniyi Adebayo, assured the pensioners that the commission would continue to do its best to rid the nation of fraudulent practices.

Representatives of the Kano State Pension Board, who received the documents on behalf of the workers and pensioners, expressed their gratitude and joy with the EFCC for assisting them in recovering the houses.

The recovery of these properties followed a final forfeiture order granted by Justice I.E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The order was a result of a successful investigation carried out by the EFCC after a petition was filed by Concerned Kano State Workers and Pensioners alleging the misappropriation of pension funds in the state.

The investigation revealed that the Kano State government had entered into a tripartite agreement with the Kano State Pension Trust Fund to build housing estates for an aggregate sum of N41 billion.

The Pension Trust Fund was to contribute N4.1 billion, but the contribution of the pensioners was used to build the houses in three estates located in Sheikh Ja’afar Mahmud Adam Bandirawo City, Sheikh Nasiru Kabara (Amana) city, and Sheikh Khalifa Ishaq Rabiu City, all in Kano State.

However, two former governors of the state fraudulently discounted and sold the houses to their cronies and associates, leaving the pension trustees with low budget and uncompleted houses.

The EFCC intervened and, upon completion of their investigation, filed for and acquired the final forfeiture order of the 324 properties to the Kano State Pension Fund Trustees.

This significant step in the fight against corruption serves as a reminder that justice will be served and that the rights of workers and pensioners will be protected.