GICN described Dahiru-Umar's leadership of PenCom since October, 2020 when her appointment as substantive DG was confirmed by the Senate as nothing but a huge fraud.
An anti-corruption organisation, the Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Director-General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Aisha Dahiru-Umar, to resign over alleged misappropriation of N14billion and abuse of office.
SaharaReporters reported that the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), wrote to the PenCom DG demanding an explanation on the allegation that she bribed her way to be confirmed as the substantive Director-General of the commission.
NANS stated this in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request letter signed by the union’s National Secretary, Usman Baba Kankia, asking the commission to confirm the truth or otherwise of the claim that it spent N14billion for personnel costs annually.
However, the Global Integrity Crusade Network in letter to Dahiru-Umar dated October 17, 2022 which SaharaReporters obtained on Thursday demanded her immediate resignation from office, citing alleged abuse of office and fraud.
In the letter titled: "RE: payment of bribe money to National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to cover up your complicity in alleged massive corruption, diversion of public funds, unprofessionalism and flagrant abuse of office regarding pencom annual expenditure of N14 billion on personnel costs," GICN said PenCom was so critical to the lives of retirees and their dependents to be left in the hands of looters.
The organisation noted that the demand for her resignation was for President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint her replacement with a competent and qualified person who could take PenCom to enviable heights.
In the letter signed by GICN's Director of Legal Services, Michael Emoyoma OKPERIN, Esq, described Dahiru-Umar's leadership of PenCom since October, 2020 when her appointment as substantive DG was confirmed by the Senate as nothing but a huge fraud.
The organisation in letter stated "It has been brought to our attention that National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on 28th September, 2022 wrote you a Freedom of Information (Fol) letter attached as ANNEXURE A demanding an account of your stewardship as the Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), particularly with respect to the claim that the Commission under your watch spent a whooping sum of N14 Billion for personnel costs annually.
"In the aforesaid letter signed by the National Secretary of NANS, Usman Baba Kankia various requests were made to ascertain the authenticity or otherwise of news making the round that your office has become a conduit pipe for massive corruption and outright diversion of public funds into private use.
"The students body followed its letter up by another one dated 30th September, 2022 wherein notice of street protest on 4th October, 2022 was given to State Director, Department of State Services (DSS), FCT Command, Abuja. Copies of the second letter and protest banner are attached as ANNEXURES B and C.
"Rather than clear your name by availing NANS the information and documents requested in ANNEXURE A, you opted to pay some bribe money to the NANS officials in tranches of $10,000, N3000,000 and N2,000,000.
"Copy of Zenith Bank Transaction Receipt dated 5th October, 2022 evidencing payment of the N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira) to Mohammed Salihu Danlami is attached as ANNEXURE D.
"We have it on good authority that the cash sum of $10.000 (Ten Thousand Dollars) paid on 3rd October, 2022 at Suite 146, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja based on your instruction to NANS officials was meant to induce them into jettisoning the already planned street protest.
"Incidentally, NANS accepted the bribe monies and summersaulted by writing you a letter dated 4th October, 2022 (copy attached as ANNEXURE E) soliciting financial support to enable them hold a National Press Conference and pass a "Vote of Confidence" on you for "past track record of exceptional performance.
"Copy of cost estimates submitted to you for the said National Press Conference, pictures and Blueprint online publication on 6th October, 2022 tagged "NANS RECANTS FRAUD ALLEGATIONS AGAINST PENCOM" confirming clear compromise by NANS are attached as ANNEXURES F, G and H.
"There is no gainsaying the fact that your actions as stated above are unworthy of a Public Official serving under President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR who abhors corruption in all its ramification.
"GICN finds it reprehensible, appalling and irresponsible for you to indulge in daylight robbery of PenCom being an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria when the poor masses who have no access to public funds are jobless, suffering and dying.
"We hereby DEMAND that you resign your said position within 7 (Seven) working days from the date hereof. This is to enable Mr. President replace you with another competent, qualified, fit and proper person who can take PenCom to the enviable height it ought to be as one of the life wires of the Nigerian economy."
It however, warned the embattled DG after the expiration of seven-day ultimatum, and she did not resign "we shall not hesitate to throw the infractions you have committed as stated in this letter to the Court of Public Opinion. Also, we shall author another letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR calling for your IMMEDIATE SACK and PROSECUTION.
"This will not prejudice our decision to embark on mass protests at strategic locations in Nigeria to brief the media on the effort we have made so far to address the monumental infractions you have committed and how you deliberately frustrated us by failing, refusing and or neglecting to resign from office.”