The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, over allegations of N2.5 billion pension fraud. According to sources, Kwankwaso has been grilled by EFCC interrogators over the alleged misappropriation of pension funds.

The investigation stems from a 2023 report by the EFCC’s Abuja Zonal Command, which revealed that the commission had recovered documents and 324 houses from Kano State pensioners. The houses were allegedly recovered from two former governors who had fraudulently denied the pensioners their rightful ownership.

The EFCC had investigated a petition by Concerned Kano State Workers and Pensioners, which alleged misappropriation of pension funds in the state. The investigation found that the state government had entered into a tripartite agreement with the Kano State Pension Trust Fund to build housing estates for an aggregate sum of N41 billion. However, the pensioners’ contribution of N4.1 billion was allegedly used to build the houses, which were then sold to cronies and associates of the two former governors.

The EFCC obtained a final forfeiture order for the 324 properties, which were handed over to the Kano State Pension Fund Trustees. The agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, declined to comment on the matter.

The investigation comes amid political tension between the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) led by Kwankwaso in Kano and the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. The tension escalated recently when the Kano State Assembly loyal to Kwankwaso’s political godson and incumbent governor, Abba Yusuf, reversed the splitting of the Kano emirate into five by Ganduje in 2020.