Ogona Anita
Abia Government has Confirmed DSS Arrest Of Civil Servant For Alleged Multi-Million Naira Pension Fraud
The Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti, Ferdinand Ekeoma, confirmed the arrest on Thursday, stating that Nwabueze was taken into custody on Wednesday on charges including fraud, impersonation, criminal conversion of pension funds, and economic sabotage.
The Abia State government has said that the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested one Onyekachi Nwabueze, a civil servant in Abia State, over alleged involvement in a pension fund fraud scheme, sparking outrage among retirees and the public.
The Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti, Ferdinand Ekeoma, confirmed the arrest on Thursday, stating that Nwabueze was taken into custody on Wednesday on charges including fraud, impersonation, criminal conversion of pension funds, and economic sabotage.
According to an interim investigation report, Nwabueze is allegedly a key member of a syndicate notorious for siphoning pension funds designated for retired state workers.
The DSS investigation revealed that millions of naira meant for pensioners were fraudulently diverted, depriving retirees of their rightful benefits.
Ekeoma condemned the act as a severe breach of public trust and pledged that the state would pursue justice to protect the rights of its retired workers.
The statement read, “Mr. Nwabueze has reportedly admitted to the crime and is helping authorities find other members of the group, some of whom are still on the run.
“The Abia State Government has assured the public that Mr. Nwabueze and anyone else involved in the crime will be treated fairly under the law.
“Mr. Nwabueze and any other persons arrested in connection with this crime will be treated fairly in security custody and in compliance with the law.”
Ekeoma added that the security agencies would continue to work with Mr Nwabueze to dismantle the syndicate and ensure that all those responsible were brought to justice.
