Pension Scam: I Made $544, 000 Selling "Pure Water", Says Accused -PM News, Nigeria

Posted: April 2, 2012 - 17:22 Sahara Reporters.

Mrs. Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula

One of the accused persons standing trial in the N14.5 billion Police Pension scam, Mrs. Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula, has told investigators the $544,632 (about N82 million) found in one of her companies, Ulover International Resources Limited, was realized from selling pure water which the company produces.
Mrs. Onyegbula stated that the company which was situated in Umuahia, the Abia state capital belonged to her mother whom she said suffered stroke seven years ago and as a result of that made her a member of the board of directors to enable her handle the finances of the company.

Part of the items recovered by operatives of the anti graft agency during a search at the woman’s home was bank statements belonging to Ulover International Resources Limited which she stated is engaged in the production of pure water. In her statement issued to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as contained in the proof of evidence filed by the agency before the court where they are standing trial and dated 15th February, 2012, the accused stated that in the course of her job at the Police Pension Office, that she cashed a total of N14 billion on the instruction of the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Kigo and the Director, Mr. Esai Dangabar via cheques signed by both men.

She also stated that there was a subsisting Federal Government Circular which directed that withdrawals from the Police Pension Fund should be by way of e-payment to beneficiaries accounts but that despite this circular, that her bosses issued cheques in her name with which she accessed funds from the Police Pension Funds domiciled at a first generation bank, First Bank of Nigeria Plc.
She also stated that she handed over the monies as soon as she cashed the cheques from First Bank Plc.
The accused persons are scheduled to appear before the court again on Tuesday for their bail applications to be heard.


 By Felix Nnamdi/Abuj.