The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over ₦1.05 billion in recovered funds to 659 disengaged staff of the Adamawa State Post-Primary Schools Management Board, bringing relief to the former teachers who have pursued their outstanding entitlements for years.
The funds, amounting to ₦1,054,919,532.61, were presented through a bank draft by the EFCC Gombe Zonal Directorate on Thursday, October 29, 2026, following an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the money.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Acting Zonal Director of the Directorate, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Austine Adache, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to accountability, justice and the restitution of recovered funds to their rightful owners.
Adache stressed that the Commission would continue to ensure that victims of financial misconduct receive appropriate redress in accordance with the law.
Counsel to the beneficiaries, Luka Musa Haruna, SAN, who received the bank draft on their behalf, commended the EFCC for its painstaking investigation and efforts that led to the recovery of the funds.
Haruna expressed confidence in the Commission’s capacity to combat economic and financial crimes and safeguard the interests of victims.
Similarly, Abraham B. Song, the petitioner whose complaint triggered the investigation, praised the EFCC for its intervention, noting that the recovery would help ease the financial hardship suffered by the affected staff.
The investigation followed a petition submitted to the Commission in 2024 by Song, who alleged that the beneficiaries were employed by the Adamawa State Government in 2012 and worked for 29 months in various secondary schools across the state.
According to the petitioner, their appointments were declared illegal by the state government in 2014, prompting the affected staff to institute legal proceedings over their outstanding entitlements.
The case was heard by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Yola Judicial Division, sitting in Jos, which subsequently ordered the Adamawa State Government to pay the affected workers their outstanding entitlements.
However, the alleged failure to comply with the court’s order led to garnishee proceedings against the state government’s accounts.
During its investigation, the EFCC reportedly received intelligence suggesting a possible risk of suspicious misapplication of the funds. The Commission subsequently took steps to preserve the money pending the conclusion of its investigation, paving the way for its recovery and eventual return to the beneficiaries.
The handover represents a significant development for the 659 former staff members, who had waited years to receive their entitlements.
It also highlights the role of investigative interventions in safeguarding funds and facilitating restitution to individuals affected by alleged financial misconduct.
The EFCC reiterated its commitment to ensuring that recovered funds are returned to their rightful beneficiaries in line with the law.
Dele Oyewale, MNIPR, FCIPDM
Head, Media and Publicity
October 29, 2026
