According to sources at the EFCC, investigations into Ms. Mayshak revealed that she misappropriated roughly N2b from the pension accounts of the Head of the Civil Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, and Nigeria Prisons Service.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the suspended Director-General of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Nelly Mayshak, and three others for their involvement in a N2.5b scandal.
Ms. Mayshak was suspended last month after it was discovered that she received N50m monthly in salaries and allowances.
According to sources at the EFCC, investigations into Ms. Mayshak revealed that she misappropriated roughly N2b from the pension accounts of the Head of the Civil Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, and Nigeria Prisons Service.
She is also believed to have embezzled N500m that was appropriated for PTAD's takeoff grant.
An EFCC detective stated that Ms. Mayshak allegedly awarded several fictitious contracts to PTAD employees, including her sister-in-law.
The allegations against Ms. Mayshak constitute procurement fraud.
According to a source from the EFCC, “In one instance, Mayshak allegedly approved N25,410,000 for the supply of 121,000,000 liters of fuel in one day when in fact there was no corresponding storage capacity, as PTAD only has a storage capacity of about 11,000 liters, which lasts for about a month.
“Between December 8 and 30, 2014 she awarded multiple contracts to one company, Interactive Wide Nigeria Limited to the tune of N29,377,993.26. Contracts for the supply of office materials, air conditioners, and conference materials to the tune of N375,704,287 were awarded to Belzacode, Hosley Nigeria Limited, and Pabak Nigeria Limited.”
The three other suspects arrested were Yoab Youssoufou, Patricia Iyogun, and Ruth Imonihke.
Mr. Youssoufou, the team leader of the ICT Department of PTAD, owned Belzacode. Ms. Imonihke, the team leader of the Director-General’s office, owned Hosley Nigeria Limited. Ms. Iyogun, the team leader of the Customs, Immigration, Prisons, and Pensions Department, is Ms. Mayshak’s sister-in-law and owned Pabak Nigeria Limited.
The EFCC stated that the three above suspects were merely fronts for Ms. Mayshak’s scam.
The suspects will be charged and brought to court as soon as the EFCC completes its investigations.