Senate suspends screening of PENCOM nominee over alleged dual appointment, financial misconduct

The Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service on Thursday suspended the screening and reappointment of Charles Emukowhate as Commissioner for Finance at the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) following petitions alleging dual appointments and failure to render financial accounts.

The decision came during what was expected to be a routine confirmation session but quickly turned contentious after a petition accused Emukowhate of simultaneously serving as a Board Member of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) and as PENCOM’s Finance Commissioner, a clear violation of public service regulations.

Cyril Fasuyi, the Chairman of the Committee, described the allegations as “serious and weighty,” stressing that the committee could not proceed with the screening until the issues were thoroughly investigated.

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“These are serious and weighty issues. The Committee cannot proceed with Mr. Emukowhate’s reappointment until these allegations are fully investigated,” Fasuyi stated.

He further disclosed that the committee had also received reports indicating that PENCOM had failed to submit audited financial statements for the past four years, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of pension funds.

“The Commission has not rendered any financial account for four years. This raises deep concerns about transparency and financial stewardship,” he said.

Following deliberations, the committee resolved to step down Emukowhate’s screening indefinitely pending a full investigation into the allegations of misconduct and financial negligence.

Other nominees, including Opeyemi Agbaje, the PENCOM Board Chairman-designate, were, however, cleared after meeting the required ethical and statutory conditions.

Fasuyi commended the cleared nominees for their competence and integrity, adding that the Senate remained committed to sanitising the pension sector and restoring public trust in the management of retirees’ funds.

Legal experts note that if proven, the allegations could attract severe consequences under Section 318(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Fifth Schedule, Part I, Paragraph 2(b), which prohibit public officers from holding dual government positions.

The Public Service Rules (PSR) 030402 also classify dual appointments as serious misconduct punishable by dismissal.

In his closing remarks, Fasuyi reaffirmed the Senate’s zero tolerance for abuse of office, saying: “The Senate will not overlook any breach of law or ethical standard.

“We owe it to Nigerians to protect the integrity of public institutions and ensure that those entrusted with pension funds are beyond reproach.”