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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has handed over N1.05bn recovered funds to 659 disengaged staff of the Adamawa State Post-Primary Schools Management Board.
The funds, amounting to N1,054,919,532.61, represent outstanding entitlements recovered by the commission following an investigation into a petition over the non-payment of the affected workers.
The Gombe Zonal Directorate of the EFCC presented the bank draft to the beneficiaries on Thursday.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Acting Zonal Director, Austine Adache, an Assistant Commander of the EFCC, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to accountability, justice and the restitution of recovered funds to their rightful owners.
He said the EFCC would continue to ensure that victims of financial misconduct received appropriate redress in accordance with the law.
The beneficiaries’ counsel, Luka Musa Haruna, SAN, who received the bank draft on their behalf, commended the commission for its investigation and efforts to recover the money.
Haruna said he had consistently maintained confidence in the EFCC’s ability to combat economic and financial crimes in the country.
Similarly, Abraham B. Song, the petitioner whose complaint triggered the investigation, praised the commission for its intervention.
He said the recovery would significantly ease the financial hardship suffered by the affected workers over the years.
The recovery followed a petition submitted to the EFCC in 2024 by Song, who alleged that the affected workers were employed by the Adamawa State Government in 2012 and served for 29 months in various secondary schools across the state.
According to the petitioner, the state government declared their appointments illegal in 2014, prompting the affected workers to approach the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
The case was heard at the court’s Yola Judicial Division, sitting in Jos, where the court ordered the Adamawa State Government to pay the workers their outstanding entitlements.
However, the alleged failure of the state government to comply with the judgment led to garnishee proceedings against its bank accounts.
The EFCC said its investigation subsequently uncovered intelligence suggesting a risk of suspicious misapplication of the funds.
It said the commission took steps to preserve the money pending the conclusion of its investigation, leading to its recovery and eventual release to the beneficiaries.
The commission said the handover demonstrated its commitment to protecting victims of financial wrongdoing and ensuring that recovered funds were returned to their rightful owners.
The handover brings relief to the 659 former workers, who have spent years pursuing payment of their entitlements.
