By Joy Odor | Abuja
A routine Senate screening session turned into high political drama on Thursday as the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service abruptly halted the reappointment of Mr. Charles E. Sylvester Emukowhate as Commissioner for Finance at the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) over grave allegations of dual appointments and financial opacity.
The Red Chamber’s mood shifted sharply when a petition accusing Emukowhate of holding two Federal offices simultaneously was read before the Committee.
According to the petition, he currently serves both as PENCOM’s Finance Commissioner and as a Board Member of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) — a violation that strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s public service laws.
Committee Chairman, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, didn’t mince words. “These are serious and weighty issues. The Committee cannot proceed with Mr. Emukowhate’s reappointment until these allegations are fully investigated,” he declared, his tone steely.
Fasuyi revealed that beyond the dual appointment scandal, the Committee had also received credible intelligence suggesting PENCOM has failed to submit audited financial reports for the last four years, a glaring breach of fiscal accountability under Emukowhate’s watch.
“The Commission has not rendered any financial account for four years. This raises deep concerns about transparency and financial stewardship,” he added.
After tense deliberations, the Committee voted to step down Emukowhate’s screening indefinitely, pending a full-scale investigation into the allegations of misconduct, financial neglect, and breach of constitutional provisions.
Meanwhile, other PENCOM nominees, including Board Chairman-designate, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje were cleared without controversy after meeting all statutory and ethical requirements.
Senator Fasuyi praised the cleared nominees for their competence and integrity, affirming the Senate’s determination to “sanitize the pension system and restore public confidence in the management of retirees’ funds.”
Legal analysts say the allegations, if proven, could have severe implications. Section 318(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Fifth Schedule, Part I, Paragraph 2(b) explicitly prohibit public officers from holding two government positions simultaneously.
Similarly, the Public Service Rules (PSR) 030402 classify dual appointments as serious misconduct, punishable by outright dismissal.
In his closing remarks, Senator Fasuyi reaffirmed the committee’s zero tolerance for abuse of office:
“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.”
The Road Ahead
With the spotlight now fixed on Emukowhate, the Senate’s impending investigation could unearth deeper issues within PENCOM’s financial management.
For now, the once-assured reappointment of the PENCOM Finance Commissioner hangs in the balance, clouded by allegations of double loyalty, missing accounts, and compromised integrity.
As one Lawmaker privately told reporters after the session: “This is not just about one man, it’s about the credibility of our entire pension system.”
