Reps, NRC boss square up over alleged N2b pension scam

By Ali Smart

A mild drama ensued at the lower legislative chambers on Wednesday when the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Seyi Sijuwade was put on the spot by the lawmakers to defend his alleged complicity in N2 billion pension scam.

Sijuade, who appeared before the Ehiozuwa Agbonanyima-led ad hoc Committee, was asked to explain all he knew about his request to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) for a return of N2b or 20 percent of the corporation’s pension fund to the corporation sometime in December, 2014.

But Sijuwade, who was reminded of being on oath, denied making such request to either the AGF or Minister of Finance to return any pension money to NRC. “I never at any time make any request to the AGF to return N2b pension fund to the corporation,” he said.

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Not satisfied, the Committee directed similar queries to the Director of Finance, Felix Njoku, who also replied in the negative.

But Njoku’s response didn’t help matters as the Committee sought to know what the organisation did with N2b that was in the corporation’s coffers during the period under review.

Subsequently, the Finance Director explained that the money was not related to pension and was used to fund on-going contracts at the time.

On the issue of contract agreements signed without major signatories but witnessed by the MD and the Secretary, it was explained by a member of the Committee that it was the standard practice for MD and Secretary to witness the seal of the organisation in contract agreements.

The Committee also faulted the award of Jebba Lagos to Costain Construction company, claiming that it has no competence in railway projects.

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