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The Many corrupt practices of PENCOM DG, Chinelo Anohu exposed + How she allegedly runs PENCOM like a personal property

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Director-General-of-the-National-Pencom-Commission-PenCom-Mrs-Chinelo-Anohu-Amazu chinelo_anohuamazu

The director-general of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) Chinelo Anohu-Amaz has been accused of running the commission like a personal property even as many senior staffers want the president to remove her from office.

The National Pension Commission (PENCOM ) was established by the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014 and later PRA 2014 to ensure effective administration of the Nigerian pension industry. It has been empowered by the PRA 2014 to superintend on all pension matters in Nigeria including supervision and regulation of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and the old Defined Benefits (DB) Scheme as well as the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).

The crisis, which has lingered for some time, is now worsening as senior management staff of the organization are no longer comfortable with the leadership of Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, whom they claim has broken every rule in the book since she assumed office as director-general of the organization.

Findings at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja have revealed that besides allegations of conflict of interest and sundry abuses, PENCOM insiders are particularly miffed at the director-general’s continued use of contacts in high places to run roughshod over everyone and every principle of neutral and effective pension administration as a regulator.

They are baffled that this could be going on under the present administration.

It would be recalled that Mrs Anohu assumed headship of the organization in very controversial circumstances, having used her contacts in the Presidency to pressure the National Assembly to reduce the statutory 20 years’ experience for headship of PENCOM to 15 years in order to accommodate her. Industry watchers and lawmakers were scandalized by the open arm-twisting but were handicapped by the powerful pressure her backers brought to bear on the situation.

PENCOM insiders and industry stakeholders insist that her determination to transfer the funds of an active pension fund administrator to another firm, Premium Pension Limited, in which her family has interests, is largely responsible for several unlawful and professionally embarrassing measures the commission has been constrained to take.

The said firm is a family business in which the DG`s mother, Mrs. Virgy Anohu, served two full terms of five years each (10 years), which is the absolute maximum allowed under PENCOM regulations. The DG`s mother was replaced on the Premium Pension board by her elder brother.

Emerging facts indicate that the DG, using a letter she instigated from the sacked managing director of the pension fund company she aims to take over, used the commission to conduct an examination and write a spurious “Draft Target Examination” with which she sought to remove three shareholders of the firm without due process, or fair hearing.

Curiously, the sacked managing director, whose case was ostensibly the basis for the regulator`s intervention, was appointed and remains the chief executive officer of the Premium Pension Limited, a firm in which the DG`s family has substantial interests.

Justice D. U. Okorowo of the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 11, 2011, gave an injunction, which was served on the commission the next day, restraining the DG from taking any action whatsoever based on the spurious draft report. But the DG acted in defiance of the court order. The letter of the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, directing PENCOM to obey the court order was also ignored.
The subsequent judgments of 10 July and 18 July 2012, by Justices Okechukwu Okeke and Okorowo, respectively, asking PENCOM to reverse the unlawful actions it had taken in defiance of a subsisting court order and restraining its agents and collaborators, including the EFCC and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), from taking further actions on the matter, were also ignored by the DG.

Meanwhile, the commission has not done anything to resolve the “issues” on the basis of which it allegedly took over the management of the pension fund administrator. That is why we now have the case of an unprecedented five-year intervention by PENCOM without improving the fortunes of the pension funds management company.

Pension insiders and major stakeholders are raising questions for which the DG is not likely to have any satisfactory answers any time soon. Has the commission managed the said firm the DG has been playing games with profitably since it took it over five years ago? Should firms that was doing well and paying dividends to its shareholders carry on for five full years without paying any dividends, or conducting itself as a responsible social citizen simply because the regulator says it is under an `interim management` it set up in defiance of court orders and several letters from the attorney-general of the federation?

Worse still, investigations have confirmed that the DG actually approached some key shareholders in the firm she has been working to take over, urging them to sell their shares to her preferred buyer without success. Thereafter PENCOM , which has become another name for the DG`s whims, has actually been working hand in gloves with a certain Kashim Imam, who has been her desperate collaborator in the take-over bid.

Investigations further revealed that Imam and the DG have repeatedly tried unsuccessfully and unlawfully, to arm-twist the majority shareholders into a position that would readily serve the empire-building aspirations of the DG.
They are alleged to be jointly and severally using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to harass and seek to embarrass the lawful owners of the company. Like PENCOM , the EFCC has consistently ignored court orders and letters from the AGF on the matter of unlawful harassment of certain persons after courts of competent jurisdiction have entered all judgments in their favour on the matter. It has ignored the AGF`s several letters demanding for the case file on the matter and has run up a monumental record of abuse of court process on this very issue alone.

The question for many people now is whether the Presidency is also working for and with the controversial and less than scrupulous PENCOM DG. As a PENCOM senior management staff said, “We really don’t know what is going on anymore. The DG is bragging that no one can touch her and the EFCC, or at least some people in the EFCC are aiding and abetting some of the very terrible things going on here. She wants to get us all into trouble; meanwhile none of us here is going to share in all the business interests she is amassing here.”

Efforts by our reporter to reach Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amaz for her angle to the report proved futile as letter sent to her office was yet to be responded to as at press time.

Source: -A/Examiner

 

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NIHOTOUR Calls on Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Allied Sector Professionals for Mandated Registration

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NIHOTOUR Calls on Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Allied Sector Professionals for Mandated Registration

NIHOTOUR Calls on Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Allied Sector Professionals for Mandated Registration

 

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), the regulatory and standardization authority in the sector, has invited professionals in the hospitality, tourism,travel and allied sectors to register as mandated by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (Establishment) Act 2022.

A statement signed by Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade, FIMC, Director-General/CEO
The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism reads:

“Enjoy FREE registration from December 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025! This is your chance to register as a professional or practitioner at no cost.

“Don’t miss this opportunity to solidify your presence in Nigeria’s thriving tourism industry. Visit www.nihotour.gov.ng now!

“Hurry—free registration closes on January 15, 2025. Take the first step toward advancing your career in tourism today!”

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EGC Homes Unveils Goodness and Mercy Estate, Brand Ambassador

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EGC Homes Unveils Goodness and Mercy Estate, Brand Ambassador

 

EGC Homes, a notable player in the real estate and property development sector, has made waves in the Nigerian market with its recent announcement of the launch of Goodness and Mercy Estate in Ogun, alongside other strategic initiatives.

The company emphasized its commitment to collaborating with the government to alleviate the housing deficit in Nigeria while prioritizing the well-being of residents.

In an interview with THECONSCIENCE NG, Oladapo Jimoh, the Managing Director of EGC Homes and Properties, expressed the brand’s long-term vision to bridge the housing gap and simplify the journey to homeownership.

He stated, “Current data estimates Nigeria’s housing deficit to be around 28 million units by 2024. This figure is among the largest globally and poses significant challenges, contributing to homelessness and various social issues.”

“National statistics indicate that our country faces a pressing need for approximately 700,000 new homes each year to address this deficit. As urbanization continues, these challenges are particularly evident in major cities, where affordable housing becomes increasingly scarce, forcing many into slums and informal settlements.”

The World Bank projects that Nigeria’s urban population could exceed 200 million by 2050, highlighting a potential social crisis as the lack of affordable housing leads to the rise of slums, especially in urban areas.

“As a forward-thinking and solutions-oriented company, we are dedicated to addressing these critical housing issues in partnership with the government.”

Following its successful launch in Lagos, EGC Homes has rapidly expanded its operations, acquiring a significant land bank across the southwestern region of Nigeria and enhancing its marketing strategies to effectively connect with customers.

The firm is committed to providing Nigerians with exceptional value, peace of mind, and simplifying the processes of land acquisition and homeownership.

“Our mission is to make life easier for Nigerians while assisting the government in tackling the housing deficit.”

Recently, the company introduced its premier property, the Goodness and Mercy Estate, located in Arepo and Sagamu Interchange in Ogun State, with more projects on the horizon. Its flexible payment plans and affordable property prices aim to cater to a wide audience.

Additionally, EGC Homes has appointed Titilayo Adebayo-Omotosho as its social media brand ambassador to promote the unique offerings of EGC Homes and Properties Limited to Nigerians both at home and abroad.

In her remarks, she highlighted her commitment to the vision of EGC Homes, stating, “I believe every Nigerian deserves a decent roof over their head. This aligns perfectly with the mission of EGC Homes and Properties, which is why I chose to represent the brand, promoting its exceptional estates and home packages to Nigerians and those aspiring to own homes here.”

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Optiva Capital Partners and Loft & Keys LCC Forge Strategic Partnership to Drive $500m Investments in Nigeria

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L-R Dr. Jane Kimemia, CEO, Optiva Capital Partners and Chief Austin Ugochukwu Albert, Chairman, Loft & Keys LLC during the partnership agreement signing between Optiva Capital partners and Loft & keys LLC at Optiva's headquarters in Lagos

Optiva Capital Partners and Loft & Keys LCC Forge Strategic Partnership to Drive $500m Investments in Nigeria

 

Optiva Capital Partners, Africa’s leading wealth management and retention company, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Loft & Keys LLC, a renowned real estate and investment company with dominant presence in Nigeria and the Middle East.

 

The ceremony which took place over the weekend at Optiva Capital’s Corporate Headquarters, aims to boost investment in Nigeria’s hospitality and healthcare sectors on the one hand, as well as provide Nigerian investors with opportunities to invest in real estate in the UAE, particularly in Dubai.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Jane Kimemia, CEO, Optiva Capital Partners, emphasized the transformative potential of this partnership, “With Loft & Keys’ deep understanding of the Nigerian market and established networks in the Middle East, we are poised to bring $500 million in investments into Nigeria’s hospitality and healthcare industries. These funds will be strategically spread across Lagos, Abuja (FCT), Delta, and Enugu.”

 

The investment in hospitality will serve as a catalyst for economic growth in Nigeria. Beyond creating employment opportunities, it will spur infrastructure development, enhance regional tourism appeal, and foster business ecosystems in Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, Enugu, and Delta. Similarly, the healthcare focus will address critical gaps in medical infrastructure, improve access to quality care, and promote health innovation—key pillars for national development.

 

The partnership According to Dr Kimemia also extends to Nigerian investors seeking opportunities in the UAE. With Loft & Keys’ expertise and extensive networks in Dubai and other Middle Eastern hubs, the collaboration will unlock access to one of the world’s most dynamic real estate markets.
Speaking about the partnership, Chief Austin Ugochukwu Albert, Chairman, Loft & Keys LLC, said “Optiva Capital Partners stands as Africa’s leading wealth retention company, a position that is firmly established and without question. This partnership with Loft & Keys will further solidify their dominance and create even greater opportunities for growth. As Dr. Jane Kimemia has rightly emphasized, Loft & Keys, with our extensive expertise in the Middle East, is a trusted and experienced partner”. We have a strong presence in the UAE and are actively expanding into Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the near future. Together with Optiva Capital Partners, we are committed to capturing significant market opportunities in these regions. I am confident that this partnership will foster substantial growth that will be mutually rewarding for both parties.

 

Dubai, a city widely known for its opulence and rapid development, is reportedly operating at only 30% of its projected capacity, presenting a significant growth opportunity for investors. According to industry experts, this untapped potential creates a unique window for investors to capitalize on the city’s future expansion and development.
The partnership aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17 as two formidable brands, Optiva Capital Partners and Loft & Keys are committed to leveraging their collective strengths to drive impactful investments that benefit clients and communities alike.

 

L-R Dr. Jane Kimemia, CEO, Optiva Capital Partners and Chief Austin Ugochukwu Albert, Chairman, Loft & Keys LLC during the partnership agreement signing between Optiva Capital partners and Loft & keys LLC at Optiva's headquarters in Lagos
About Optiva Capital Partners
Optiva Capital Partners is a premier wealth management and retention firm offering bespoke solutions in four areas of specialization – investment immigration, investment advisory, insurance, and international real estate.
About Loft & Keys LLC
Loft & Keys is an internationally recognized real estate and investment company with a robust presence in Nigeria and the UAE. The firm is dedicated to connecting investors with high-value opportunities in dynamic markets.

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