The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has returned N1.05 billion to 659 disengaged teachers of the Adamawa State Post-Primary Schools Management Board. This followed an investigation into the alleged misapplication of their outstanding entitlements. The recovered funds were presented to the beneficiaries in the form of a bank draft valued at N1,054,919,532.61.
According to the EFCC, the recovery was prompted by a petition submitted in 2024 by Abraham B. Song, who alleged that the affected teachers were employed by the Adamawa State Government in 2012 and served for 29 months in various secondary schools across the state. The state government declared their appointments illegal in 2014, leading to a court order for the payment of outstanding entitlements.
The court order was not fully implemented, leading to garnishee proceedings against the state government's accounts. The EFCC received intelligence indicating a potential risk of suspicious misapplication of the funds and took steps to preserve the money pending the conclusion of its investigation. This eventually facilitated the recovery and return of the funds to the affected teachers.
During the handover ceremony, Austine Adache, Acting Zonal Director of the Gombe Directorate and Assistant Commander of the EFCC, reaffirmed the commission's commitment to accountability, justice, and the restitution of recovered funds to their rightful beneficiaries. Adache emphasized that the commission remained committed to ensuring that victims of financial misconduct received appropriate redress in accordance with the law.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the EFCC for its investigation and efforts towards recovering the funds. Luka Haruna, one of the beneficiaries, appreciated the commission for its role in recovering the funds, while Song commended the EFCC for its intervention, noting that the recovered money would significantly alleviate the financial losses and hardship suffered by the affected staff.
The EFCC described the handover as a significant milestone for the affected teachers, who had pursued the payment of their entitlements for several years. The commission highlighted the importance of effective investigation and inter-agency engagement in the recovery and restitution of funds. This development underscores the EFCC's commitment to protecting victims of financial wrongdoing and ensuring that recovered proceeds are returned to their rightful owners.
The return of the funds brings relief to the 659 disengaged teachers who had been seeking redress for several years. The EFCC's intervention has ensured that the beneficiaries receive their entitlements, as ordered by the court. This development is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of the affected teachers and their families.
Key points
- EFCC recovers and returns N1.05 billion to 659 disengaged teachers in Adamawa State.
- The recovery was prompted by a petition alleging misapplication of the teachers' outstanding entitlements.
- The EFCC's intervention ensured that the beneficiaries received their entitlements, as ordered by the court.
