A group, Pensioners’ Interest Group, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to urgently investigate the activities of Mr. Adebowale Gomes, a staff of Sidmach Technologies Ltd, attached to the Military Pension Board, Abuja whom it alleged, has been using the issue of ‘ghost’ pensioners to defraud the government.
The group said the fraud has been ongoing for many years now and possibly with the knowledge of those approving the payments.
In a petition signed by the Mohammed Gambo and Nelson Blessing, copied to the Minister of Defence, EFCC, ICPC, Director General, State Security Services(SSS), The Inspector General of Police, the Chairman , Sidmach Ltd and the Chairman, Military Pensions Board, the group regretted that while it has been struggling to enlighten Nigerian employees on the need for pension savings for better old age and to recover from the shocking revelation of the Pension Scam in Police and Civil service, some ICT thieves and pen – robbers are busy siphoning the pension funds of innocent Nigerians.
It maintained that the rot continues unchecked in the Military Pension Board, Abuja despite a yearly verification exercise for pensioners by the Military Pension Board (MPB) under the Ministry of Defence, stressing that the situation in the organization is far from the bold claims and assertion of the Chairman of Military Pension Board in recent times.
According to the petition, “In line with this administration’s zero tolerance for corruption and our decision to stamp out corruption in Military and Para-Military Pensions; we conducted secret investigations which somehow endangered our lives, families, and works. And it was revealed that this Mr. Adebowale Gomes is fetish, dangerous, and a womanizer that travels to almost every country lavishing his stolen money.
Please investigate his passport & traveling document to confirm,” the group noted.
It continued: “It was discovered that Mr. Gomes who had no car, no house, no company and with less than Two hundred thousand naira cash and bank balance when he got to Abuja and was staying with his wife in her personal house less than three years ago, now has many properties and vehicles some of which are listed as follows: A house and a Cybercafe in Gwarimpa, Abuja; an estate comprising of 1 bedroom 10 nos., 2 bedroom bungalows 3nos., and security post in Lokoja, Kogi State at value of N60,000,000 (Sixty Million Naira.); a 5-bedroom Duplex with Boys quarter situated by Estate, off Apo Road, Galadimawa, Abuja valued at N50, 000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira.); a 4 bedroom bungalow (2 numbers) at Sun city Estate, Abuja; 2 nos 4 bedroom Semi detached bungalow in Sunnyville Estate, Abuja; 6 nos 3 bedroom bungalow in Gwagwalada- Abuja and 3 nos Cornershops on University Road, Gwagwalada. Each valued at about Five million naira, and one of them housing his Seanet Cybercafe Niger. Ltd that worth over Twenty Million Naira in values.
Others allegedly owned by him are: “landed properties at Gwagwalada, Kabusha, Kwali, Lugbe in FCT; a fleet of SUVs and Salon cars, including a 2007 GX Lexus, 2010 Infiniti M56, 2010 Toyota Camry, , 2006 Mercedes C320, 2005 Toyota Avensis, 2002 Honda Accord, 2010 Toyota Hiace Bus etc, Two Power Bikes; bank accounts (savings, current, fixed and domiciliary) domiciled at Skye bank, Zenith Bank, and GT Banks in personal, mother, children, wives ( He has three wives), corporate names and a multi million naira supermarket in Abuja.
The group added that further investigations revealed that Gomes has cronies like Mary Gambo, Adelabu Taoreed, Muazu Usm, accounts and pension department officers, and some senior officers. “They together prepare and keep secret lists of fictitious names and account details and then ensure monthly payment mandates/instructions that were used to make all the fraudulent payments and collections thereby siphoning millions monthly from the Military Pension Fund.”
It also accused Gambo,Taoreed and Muazu of programming fictitious names, and with the aid of fraudulent bank officers ,collect cash or transfer pensioners’ money into other fictitious private accounts as conduit pipe.
Other companies which are allegedly being used as conduit pipes by Gomes to defraud the MPB are companies like Seanets Komputronics Ltd and Al-waduud Vents, stressing that he has two lawyers, who handle legal matters and business transactions for him, as well as helping him falsify documents at the Corporate Affairs Commision, CAC, to register his company and alter information to suit their corrupt dealings.
The group said it is aware of the criminalization of illegal enrichment or inexplicable wealth under the ICPC and EFCC Act which requires all Nigerians to justify or forfeit unexplained wealth and demands the EFCC and ICPC to carry out their duties by speedily investigating the alleged fraud in line with Mr. President zero tolerance for corruption and financial crime.
“We urge you to urgently investigate this petition with a view to bringing whoever is found culpable to face trial. There is a duty to urgently investigate or ensure the investigation of Gomes of Sidmach Technologies Ltd (attached to Military Pension Board, Abuja) and take all steps to recover huge sums already siphoned from the MPB and still being siphoned on monthly basis by him and his cronies. Gomes for now seems untouchable and powerful, at least the person before him, one Festus didn’t do up to this level before he was exposed.
“It is therefore our prayer that Mr. Gomes Adebowale would be investigated in relation with the fraud and the source of his questionable wealth and acquisition valued at over a Billion naira within a space of four years as ICT/ Programmer at Military Pension Board, Abuja. An immediate investigation will save MPB and the Federal Government of Nigeria from further loss and national embarrassment,” the group concluded.