The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over N1.05 billion recovered funds to 659 disengaged teachers of the Adamawa State Post-Primary Schools Management Board.

This followed an investigation into the alleged misapplication of their outstanding entitlements.

The Gombe Zonal Directorate of the commission presented a bank draft valued at N1,054,919,532.61 to the beneficiaries, who were disengaged under Batch D1 of the state’s post-primary education system.

The recovery followed a petition submitted to the EFCC in 2024 by Abraham B. Song, who alleged that the affected teachers were employed by the Adamawa State Government in 2012 and served for 29 months in various secondary schools across the state.

According to the petitioner, the state government declared their appointments illegal in 2014, prompting the affected staff to institute legal proceedings before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Yola Judicial Division, sitting in Jos.

The court subsequently ordered the Adamawa State Government to pay the teachers their outstanding entitlements.

However, the alleged failure of the state government to comply with the court’s order led to garnishee proceedings against its accounts.

EFCC said it received intelligence indicating a potential risk of suspicious misapplication of the funds.

The commission consequently took steps to preserve the money pending the conclusion of its investigation, which eventually facilitated the recovery and return of the funds to the affected teachers.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Austine Adache, Acting Zonal Director of the Gombe Directorate and Assistant Commander of the EFCC, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to accountability, justice and the restitution of recovered funds to their rightful beneficiaries.

Adache said the commission remained committed to ensuring that victims of financial misconduct received appropriate redress in accordance with the law.

Receiving the bank draft, Luka Haruna, expressed appreciation to the commission for its investigation and efforts towards recovering the funds.

Haruna said he had consistently maintained confidence in the EFCC’s capacity to combat economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

Similarly, Song, commended the commission for its intervention, noting that the recovered money would significantly alleviate the financial losses and hardship suffered by the affected staff.

The EFCC said the recovery and subsequent handover underscored its commitment to protecting victims of financial wrongdoing and ensuring that recovered proceeds were returned to their rightful owners.

The commission described the handover as a significant milestone for the affected teachers, who had pursued the payment of their entitlements for several years.

It also highlighted the importance of effective investigation and inter-agency engagement in the recovery and restitution of funds.