A petitioner, Simeon Nnadi, has described the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as “the hope of the hopeless” when it comes to providing redress for weak and voiceless citizens who are deprived of their entitlements by public and private establishments due to corruption or bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Mr. Nnadi had petitioned the Commission in relation to his late wife Mrs. Maria Okeawolam Nnadi’s outstanding entitlements, who until her death, was a staff of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under the Health and Human Services Secretariat. His prayer was for the Commission to help him recover the variation of his wife’s promotion allowance which accrued from October, 2011 to December, 2012.
However, after her demise, her employer had held on to the balance of her entitlement. All efforts made by her husband to get them to release the money proved abortive which led him to run to ICPC for intervention.
Upon receipt of the petition, ICPC immediately commenced investigation and the outcome revealed that the late Mrs. Nnadi’s contributory pension from August to December, 2006 was not paid to her and also the variation in her contributory pension for the new level she was promoted to was not remitted amongst others.
Following ICPC’s involvement, the first payment of N324, 290.56 was made to her husband. A month later, the balance of N2, 752, 880.33 which was being held by her insurance companies (Goldlink, Zenith, Capital Express and Leadway) was also released.
In his appreciation letter to the Commission, Mr. Nnadi, commended ICPC for the professionalism it displayed in handling the matter.
The letter reads in part,”This achievement was made possible by the professionalism, timeliness, selflessness and the zeal for a corruption-free nation shown by your wonderful officers who investigated the case.
‘You restored hope when all hope was lost. I am deeply indebted and I humbly pray for God’s guidance, strength and wisdom for you to lead this noble Commission to a greater height.”