Railway pensioners seek Buhari, Osinbajo, EFCC intervention on N3.6 bilion pensions fund held by NRC management

Retirees of the Nigerian Railway Corporation have called on President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to urgently intervene and find out why the management of the Railway Corporation has refused to pay their pensions and entitlements.

The pensioners, who are members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), also revealed that the N3,637,483. 00 meant for the payment of pensions and entitlements are allegedly being held by some members of the management of the NRC.

The pensioners had written a letter of petition to the Zonal Head of the EFCC in Okoyi, Lagos which was titled, ‘Fraudulent conversion of the sum of N3, 637 483. 00 by Oluwaseyi Sijuwade, Felix Njoku, J.C. Nwankwo, Oshunmakinde (Mrs), Abdulrahmon Abubakar, Monsurat Omotayo, Fidet Okhira and Alh. Abubakar A.A. being Pension Fund meant for all the railway pensioners who retired in September 2005 contrary to sections: 104, 382, 383, 385, 422, & 435 of the Criminal Code Act CAP C 38.’

The pensioners, through their solicitors said, “On November 25, 2005, the Federal Ministry of Transport directed the then Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation in person of Alhaji A.A. Abubakar to pay our clients. It was communicated on November 25, 2005 via a Ref. No. T00062/S. 163/ Vol. lV/864.

“The aforesaid monies were meant for “severance benefits to the recently disengaged NRC staffs”. The payment of the said money ought to have commenced on December 12, 2005. Our clients have written letters to the Managing Director demanding the payment of the money but there was no response.

“On March 22, 2021, another letter was written to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, yet there was no response. It was after the aforementioned frustrations that my clients engaged our services in which a letter was written and directed to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railways Corporation which was acknowledged.

“A reply of our letter dated July 23, 2021 was communicated to us which letter was dated August 23, 2021, wherein they demanded for the following: 1. Names of the retired pensioners. 2. Year of retirement. 3. Department of the NRC from which they retired. 4. Grade, level and step.

“All the information demanded were communicated to them through our letter dated September14, 2021. It is however, painful that after the receipts of our last letter to them, nothing has been heard from them. It is obvious that the money in question was misappropriated by the aforementioned names.

“It is sad that, some people appear too big even bigger than the Federal Government who released these monies and also directed that same be paid to our clients. We humbly urge you Sir, that our clients have no other hope other than this commission. Their hopes are anchored on you in recovering these monies and pay our clients forthwith and prosecute the culprits for heinous and wicked act.”

A letter dated July 23, 2021 earlier sent to the NRC by the retirees tagged, ‘Non-payment of 12 months arrears of 33 per cent pension increase, contributory pension and severance package to Nigerian Railway Corporation pensioners by the management of Nigerian Railways Corporation,’ read, “It is obnoxious that 16 years of retirement, Railway pensioners have not been paid part of their entitlement despite persistent demands.

“The aforementioned entitlements are tabulated as follows: (a) 33 per cent pension increase as contained in circular dated September 26, 2014. The arrears of the 33 per cent pension increase was 52 months, spanning July 15, 2010 to October 31, 2014. It is an established fact that Railway management paid 10 months while Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) paid 30 months given the total of 40 months, leaving 12 months unpaid till now.

“(b) Contributory pension deduction (from July 2004  to August 31, 2005) i.e 13 months. (c) Severance package as indicated in circular dated June 10, 2005 specifically on page six item No 17 C (iii) and C (iv) which states as follows:  “17 (c)…officers who are due for gratuity and pension, having served for 10 years or more: (iii) 10 per cent of gratuity (iv) 10 per cent of pension for one year.” All the aforementioned remain unpaid.”

“The affected pensioners have resolved to take their complaint to the ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for the financial misfeasance of the Nigerian Railway Corporation management. The pensioners have lost trust in the Nigerian Railway Corporation management having written several letters on the above subject matter but with zero response.

“The aforementioned anti-graft bodies are saddled with the duties of investigating financial misfeasance and irregularities in financial management who are also apt to duties in resolving issues of this magnitude. Our clients are ready to ensure that the culprits who are responsible for the mismanagement of the Pension Trust Fund, in custody of the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation are prosecuted and if found guilty, sentenced to jail forthwith.

“To avert the aforementioned, the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation is given 30 days of the receipt of this letter within which to pay the said monies to the affected pensioners. Otherwise the aforementioned anti-graft bodies shall be fully involved immediately after the expiration of the 30 days of the receipt of this letter.”

When contacted, NUP National Headquarters confirmed the position of the pensioners and also hinted that it is working out plans to stage an action against the Corporation, since all efforts made by the pensioners to get the Corporation to respond and pay their members have fallen on deaf ears.