The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has told House of Representatives’ Committee on Public Petitions headed by Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, why the agency cannot refund the sum of 10 million naira to Air Vice Marshal Ja Kayode-Becklay.
The EFCC was summoned over the petition made by Air Marshal Ja Kayode-Beckley against the anti-graft agency over the refusal to refund the sum of ten million naira in the judgement of the court in charge No. FCT/HC/181/2016 between Federal Republic of Nigeria vs AVM John Adeniyi Kayode-Beckley.
Appearing before the House Committee on Thursday, 25th January on First Summons, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir who represented the Executive Chairman of EFCC said the petitioner’s case came up during the time of former President Mohammadu Buhari, when the petitioner was serving as an Airforce officer.
He stated that the petitioner – Air Vice Marshal Ja Kayode-Beckley was given an official assignment, and on the course of executing the assignment, the sum of #10,000,000 (Ten million naira only) was transferred into his bank account. The EFCC was alerted, this caused us to begin investigation. He was not the only one who was investigated on the case, but the EFCC lost the case at the Court of Appeal. However, in the cause of investigation, the EFCC returned the whole money to NSA. It is therefore, the responsibility of NSA to either send back the money to the petitioner or still hold it.
The Deputy Chairman of the committee, Rt. Hon. Adamu Ibrahim Gamawa who represented the Chairman, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, adjourned the case to 20th February, 2024 in order to hear from both the petitioner and the NSA.
The second case of the day was immediately announced, and the respondents – both the Federal Ministry of Health and the Director, IPPIS, and Management of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibandan in Oyo State, were present. While the petitioner – All Unpaid Employees University College Hospital (UCH) – was not present at the hearing. That was the first summon on the petition by All Unpaid Employees University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan against the Management of the University College Hospital on nonpayment of salaries. Joined also, is The Honourable Minister, Ministry of Health and Director, IPPIS.
As the respondents were given few minutes to speak, the respondent from University College Hospital, Ibadan told the House that majority of the petitioners have been enrolled for payment. According to him, about 330 staff were called for capturing, and those captured have been payrolled.
The respondent from Federal Ministry of Health told the House that their responsibility is only to payroll those who have been captured. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Head of Civil Service to approve the remaining fifty-five (55) people for capturing.
As the Deputy Chairman of the Committee queried why the remaining people have not been approved for capturing, respondent from the University Management stated that they have written severally to the Head of Service for approval, but all to no avail.
Hon. Ogene, one of the House Committee Members therefore, suggested that Management of Head of Service should be summoned to explain why it has not positively responded to the letters.
Conclusively, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee adjourned the case to 20th February, 2024 in order to have both the petitioner and Head of Service present for clear explanations.
The third case of the day, a petition by Yunana Elisha Maida against Ethiopian Airline over inhuman treatment, gross negligence, vandalisation and degrading treatment of his person and property while on board, was announced for a first hearing. Unfortunately, there was no response after the Clerk announced the case, as both the petitioner and respondent were absent at the hearing.
The session was thereby closed by the Deputy Chairman, as the House Committee on Public Petitions reconvenes on Tuesday, 30th January, 2024.
