TRADE Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has called on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to ensure all individuals standing trail for the embezzlement of pension fund are brought to book with maximum penalty.

Similarly, leaders of the umbrella body for senior staff associations in the country, called on the National Assembly to review the laws which allow pension fund fraudsters to get light judgement in court.

TUC in a communiqué at the end of its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Benin city, Edo State, said “The NEC-in-session is particularly miffed at the ridiculously “friendly” sentence that was awarded by an Abuja High court against John Yusufu, the confessed pension thief some weeks ago.

We reiterate our earlier stand that the said sentence be appealed against by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). We also affirm that the provisions of the laws under which he was charged and sentenced be reviewed by the National Assembly and sufficiently commensurate punishment be given for the offences. John Yusufu and his likes should not be allowed to loot our collective common wealth and go scot free.”

“The NEC-in-session also notes with keen interest the development in the pension-related matters. In particular, the case of Dr. Abdulrasheed Maina’s refusal to honour the Senate’s invitation – thereby provoking calls for his sack/dismissal – was brought to the fore.

The NEC-in-session observes that an individual nay public official, no matter how highly placed, should not be allowed to denigrate our public institutions. The session therefore supports the call for his arrest, investigation and prosecution to serve as a deterrent to erring public officers.”

“The Mainagate (Maina scandal) tells a sad story of the deep seated corruption that has become endemic in Nigeria. To this end, the NEC-in-session vows to employ all arsenal within the control of labour towards resisting any attempt to impose incompetent nitwits to head the National Pension Commission.”