Imo State Alarming Rate Of Pension Scam, The Discoveries And Beneficiaries Of The Corrupt Pension System

NJOKU MACDONALD OBINNA

It was Roberto Menchu, a Nobel Prize Laureate,  who once posited that;  “Without strong watchdog institutions, impunity becomes the very foundation upon which systems of corruption are built. And if impunity is not demolished, all efforts to bring an end to corruption are in vain”.

No doubt, past and successive administrations; both military and civilian governments in Imo State, have not really fared well in their onerous efforts of addressing this age long monster of pension fraud in the state. Admittedly, while the alarming rate of pension fraud as perpetrated and perpetuated by ‘a gang of political fraudsters’ is not peculiar to Imo State, unfortunately no governments, in practical terms, has completely fumigated, sanitized and got the system ridden off with this menace.

The Achike Udenwa’s monologue administration, my apologies,  between 1999-2007, did not put in place, forensic biodata capturing  machines and mechanisms; the innovations, engagement of tested and trusted pension management consultancy firms,  etc, to rigorously look into the alarming rate of skyrocketed  unpaid pension arrears from inception to the expiration of his administration. My dad was, and has remained a victim! 

The Ikedi Ohakim Clean and Green Administration followed the same unfortunate political trajectory of his immediate predecessor, Achike Udenwa, of not curbing this social menace of pension scam and corruption in the system. This vicious circle became even worse under the Rescue Mission Administration led by Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha; whose government engaged more of political stooges that were clapping hands for every ‘good and bad policy he initiated. Most rationale homo sapiens have equally expressed some concerns and reservations  if actually he engaged economic experts, seasoned administrators, thoroughbred legal practitioners, financial analysts and management consultants, who would have dispassionately given him timely, tested and professional pieces of advice on the direction of a number of his administration’s policy thrusts. That government inadvertently failed Imo people despite all the clamours and media frenzy online.No thanks to Prof. Nnamdi Obiaraeri, who was equally an integral part of that government.

Then comes the Rebuild Imo Administration under Chief Emeka Ihedioha; who also made concerted efforts by setting the motion and mechanism in place to address the perennial pension fraud and leakages in the state civil service. A reform agenda, which did not see the light of the day, as his 8 months old government was sacked by the Supreme Court on Tuesday, January 14, 2020. While many of his party faithful, supporters and members of the opposition in the state have alluded that he would have done better than the ‘imposed Supreme Court Governor’ if he had remained on seat as they get wont to make reference to the successful three weeks period of pensioners ‘ Verification  and Bio -Data Capturing Exercise before pension arrears were paid by his Rebuild Imo Administration. Funny enough, not many of these overzealous and over excited supporters of Chief Emeka Ihedioha, mainly from the Mbaise |Ngor Okpala political zone, were aware that the former governor’s laudable pension scheme agenda was also fraught with  irregularities as the ‘Lagos and Abuja based Consultancy Firms’ smiled to the banks. 

Succinctly, over N273 billion have been diverted and looted through pension scams in Nigeria between 2005- 20011; as many States of the federation equally  have their proportional share of the looted pension fraud and funds.  

From the strength of the above therefore, it is not only surprising but also highly commendable to see the Imo State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, throw caution to the wind as he courageously named the investigated Imo pension fraudsters and scammers during his media address and government’s update to members of the Labour Unions and Organised Labour on Saturday, July 4, 2020.

In what could be tagged  ‘Mind blowing rate of pension scam’, the Governor made an exposition of the alarming rate of pension fraud as over inflated pensions were paid to numerous pensioners, which upon investigation was not consistent with their last payslips or basic salaries as stipulated by the Pension Act.
Over 1,000 pensioners, who retired in 1976 were still receiving pension under Chief Emeka Ihedioha, while a retired Judge was earning N300,000.00 monthly above his due pension. And a late SSG was still earning pension when the real pensioners are groaning in pains over unpaid pension arrears.

The dogged and determined Governor did not stop at a mere exposition and analysis about the rot in Imo Pension System, he also  went further by listing  names and amount of pension funds fraudulently diverted by these people, who had also  served in previous administrations. They included the following below:
 Ajokubi , H. A – N65, 685, 497.00 Njoku Damian – N5,042,437.58Obasi Canice – N3,460,366.64 Anyanwu, F.N- N150,336,000.00Emenala Theresa -N3,058,592.00 John Sunday – N2, 320,624.00 Ajaegbo , E.O. – N2,290, 910.34Ekedere , Eunice – N32,490,016.00

The fraud in the payroll system pervaded Nigeria’s old defined Benefits Pension Scheme (DBPS). Under the second term of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Administration (2003-2007), Nigeria’s bankrupt pension system was completely reformed; as a new Contributory Pension Scheme was developed and applied to all workers in the public and private sectors.  

On Friday, July 3, 2020, the Imo State government implemented the Contributory Pension Scheme where Imo Pensioners are integrated into the National Contributory Pension Scheme as a way of addressing continued protests by Imo pensioners and  enhancing good governance;  as the government concentrates more on capital projects; implementation of his administration’s policy thrusts and other social deliverables as encapsulated in his Shared Prosperity Mantra.

Ironically, while this bold step taken by Governor Hope Uzodinma has been commended and highly applauded by Imo people across Nigeria, the naysayers, critics and opposition have resorted to challenging him to publish names of these pension fraudsters, their addresses, the ministries they retired from and subsequently charge them to Court. To them, it’s a mere media frenzy to divert the attention of public outcry over last weekend’s failed payment of pensioners arrears. To me, that is the beauty of democracy.

Nevertheless, the development of a viable and workable pension scheme in Imo State, has always been clamoured for not only by pensioners, but also by notable stakeholders and the general public. This is the reason the Government of Imo State, under Senator Hope Uzodinma, decided to implement the FG Contributory Pension Scheme and adopt a payment structure most suitable to the state as a way of dealing with the challenges posed by the previously adopted Defined Benefits Pension Scheme it inherited by both the Rescue Mission and Rebuild Imo Administrations.

– Njoku Macdonald Obinna is the Publisher of 4thestatereporters.com