By KINGSLEY OMONOBI
ABUJA—The police yesterday lamented that N700 million meant for payment of benefits to 704 families of deceased officers who lost their lives in line of duty has not been received from the EFCC.

This came as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, told the Senate that all monies seized by the anti-graft agency from public and private persons had been returned.

It would be recalled that families of 704 police officers who lost their lives to mob attacks, armed robbery and assassinations in 2003, 2004 and 2005 insurance years, whose entitlements were put at N700million and was released during the Tafa Balogun’s  era as Inspector-General, could not be paid by the police authorities.

The amount was among those seized by the Nuhu Ribadu-led EFCC that investigated and prosecuted the former IGP.

The money, which is “Group Personal Accident Insurance”, was part of the entitlements due to the next of kin of some officers/men of the Nigeria Police who died within those three years.

Since then, hundreds of the deceased relations and children have protested several times to the force headquarters, demanding their entitlements and, in some cases, accusing the police of allegedly siphoning their money.

Vanguard gathered that  after several letters was written to the EFCC by the Police authorities, beginning from the tenure of Sir Mike Okiro up till that of Hafiz Ringim, for the return of the money, the anti-graft agency eventually made effort to return the amount last year.

Bottlenecks from CBN, AGF stall fund

However, Police sources told Vanguard that from the disclosure of the immediate past IG, bureaucratic bottlenecks at the Central Bank of Nigeria and office of the Attorney General of the Federation had stalled the refund.

“We are yet to get the money or even know the position while the families keep inundating us with the request to pay,” said a source.

Giving an insight into how the N700million came about, the source said:   “The scheme started on October 15, 2002. The take off was smooth till 2003, 2004 and 2005 during the regime of Tafa Balogun when there was unfortunate reversal of the situation.

“It is disheartening to note that during the period, N700million has remained outstanding and unpaid till date due to non availability of fund.

“At first, we taught the amount was N334, 772, 134. 00 but EFCC  confirmed that the amount was N700 million instead. Several insurance companies were involved in the scam that may have collaborated with the former IG to embezzle the money.

“This resulted in another former IG, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, directing that the matter be investigated by the Force Criminal Investigations Department and in the course of the investigation, N52. 25million was recovered from various insurance companies involved in the scam.

“The recovered money was immediately paid to some of the families of bereaved officers.

“After that payment, the remaining 704 families have continued protesting their rights and they have portrayed the force as uncaring and this has in a way dampened the morale of serving police officers.”