The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has stated that its 406 staff members who were recently sacked over falsification of service records have been handled over to police authorities to face prosecution and criminal charges

NIMC Director-General, ‎Mr. Chris Onyemenam, stated this during a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja in reaction to the protest by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria.

He denied embezzling N30 billion meant for the production ‎of the National Identity Card.

According to Onyemenam, “There are 406 members of staff who falsified their records and have been benefiting from the system. We have referred them to the relevant security agencies for prosecution and they will face criminal charges. The rationale behind our action is to ensure that we maintain integrity and ensure that our cards are respected everywhere.

“Embezzlement of N30 billion again is misunderstanding of the facts that have been interpreted to suit the presenter’s purpose. ‎In September 2011 government approved N30.066 billion from the procurement of cards and the accelerated expansion of the back end. And within budgetary constraints, we are very proud of the support we have received.”

•Photo shows NIMC