Pension Fraud: Bauchi Govt Sacks Official

The Bauchi State government has terminated the appointment of a Chief Secretarial Assistant (CSA) attached to the State Pension Board, Ibrahim Garba for alleged serious misconduct and involving himself in a salary/pension scam.

The decision to terminate the official’s appointment was taken by the Bauchi State Civil Service Commission (CSC) at its 17th plenary session held on 1st August, 2023 in Bauchi, the State capital.

The termination of Garba’s appointment was contained in a press release signed by the Information Officer of the Bauchi State Civil Service Commission, Saleh Umar, made available to journalists.

According to Umar, Garba smartly swapped the account number of one Audu Mohammed, now deceased, with his own account number, which facilitated the change of pay point after the relatives of the deceased reported his death.

“Thereafter, Ibrahim Garba received an illegal pension for fifty five (55) months of N54,871.26 each month for four (4) years seven months which amounted to N3,017,919.30 which shall be recovered from him,” Umar stated.

He disclosed that the indicted official was found guilty by the disciplinary committee of the State pension board for violating Public Service Rule (PSR) 0327(XI) that dealt with the issues of financial embezzlement.

According to the release, “the officer was found wanting for serious misconduct for involving himself in a salary/pension scam. His action has violated Public Service Rule (PSR) 0327(XI) that dealt with the issues of financial embezzlement.”

Meanwhile, the chairman of the commission, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, has called on civil servants in the state to be God-fearing in the discharge of their duties, noting that they must observe and adhere to the State’s Public Service Rule (PSR) as a guide.