By GARBA MUHAMMAD

Concerned current and former staff of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (Kaduna Electric) have petitioned the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), calling for an urgent investigation into what they describe as a “grave case of financial misconduct and breach of trust” by the company’s management.

In an open letter dated October 31, 2025, and signed by Musa Mohammed Bichi on behalf of the affected staff, the petitioners alleged that the company, under the leadership of Umar Abubakar Hashidu (Managing Director) and Abubakar Sadiq Muhammad (Deputy Managing Director), failed to remit pension deductions for over 3,000 staff members spanning approximately 72 to 88 months.

According to the petition, the alleged unremitted pension deductions, estimated at ?3 million per staff member, could amount to several billions of Naira, covering employees across Kaduna Electric’s franchise areas of Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi States.

The petitioners further claimed that the non-remittance extended beyond these states, affecting staff across the 36 states of the federation, thereby “magnifying the scope and national implications of this financial breach.”

They alleged that although pension deductions were regularly made from employees’ monthly salaries, the funds were not transmitted to the respective Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), in clear violation of the Pension Reform Act of 2014.

“This act of non-remittance constitutes a serious violation of Nigerian labour, financial, and anti-corruption laws, and represents a profound injustice to hardworking citizens,” the letter stated.

The petitioners lamented that many disengaged staff, numbering about 400 employees laid off in January 2025, now face severe economic hardship and are unable to access their retirement savings. They argued that the situation not only undermines public confidence in corporate governance but also contradicts the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which advocates transparency, accountability, and workers’ welfare.

The group also accused Kaduna Electric’s management of breaching its approved Condition of Service, which entitles staff who served between five (5) and nine (9) years to receive 35% of their total emoluments per completed year as an exit token upon disengagement — a payment they claim has been ignored.

The letter, addressed to EFCC Chairman, Abuja, urged the Commission to:

1. Investigate the alleged non-remittance of pension deductions.

2. Recover and ensure immediate remittance to the affected PFAs.

3. Probe the non-payment of exit tokens to disengaged staff.

4. Identify and prosecute any individuals or management officials found culpable.

The petitioners called on the EFCC to act swiftly, describing the case as one of “national importance” that affects not only the welfare of workers but also the credibility of Nigeria’s pension administration system.

“Your timely intervention will restore hope to the affected workers and demonstrate the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to justice and fairness,” Bichi wrote on behalf of the group.

As of press time, efforts by News Express to obtain a response from Kaduna Electric’s management were unsuccessful, as official calls and messages sent to the company’s headquarters in Kaduna were yet to be acknowledged.