Pension Scam: EFCC Seeks Forfeiture of Suspects properties
Olaoluwa Folalu
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday asked Justice Abdul Kafarati of a Federal High Court, Abuja to order the interim forfeiture of the properties belonging to Phina Chidi, a former Deputy Director in the Pension Unit of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, OHCSF, and Garba Abdullahi Tahir, a former Cash Pay Officer in the same office.
The request which was brought through an ex parte motion is seeking the confiscation of their properties pending the determination of the case against them.
Moving the application, counsel to EFCC, Emmanuel Egwuagu from Obla Chambers prayed the court to grant all the reliefs sought in the ex parte originating summons dated May 20, 2015 and filed June 9, 2015.
He urged the judge to rely on all arguments canvassed in the originating summons to support the application.
While Tahir is facing one count charge bordering on diversion of public funds to the tune of N47,251,354 (Forty Seven Million Two Hundred and Fifty One Thousand Three Hundred and Fifty Four Naira), Chidi is standing trial on a 12-count charge bordering on diversion of pension funds and money laundering to the tune of N3billion.
Phina was equally alleged to have between 2009 and 2011, connived with a company, Pam Investments Properties Ltd, to commit an offence under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, by retaining the sum of $2million, property belonging to the Pensions Account, OHCSF.
The offence is contrary to Section 16(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004 as amended.
