• FOR A POLICE UNION THAT WILL DEFEND THE INTEREST AND BETTER WELFARE OF THE RANK & FILE OF THE POLICE

By: Akande Daniel & Clement Ademola

The Nigeria Police Retirees (NPR) have long been at the forefront of a battle for justice, particularly in terms of their pension scheme. Under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), they have found themselves trapped in what they describe as an “imprisonment and slave trade,” while those in positions of power benefit at their expense. It is time to rally behind these retired officers and support their call for a better pension scheme that respects their years of service and sacrifices.

The Association of Retired Police Officers, Niger State Chapter, has called on the Senate to fulfil its promise by exiting them from the contributory pension scheme. In a joint letter written by 36 states, including the Federal Capital, the Nigeria Police Retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme are requesting to exit the scheme. The letter is addressed to the Chairman of the House Committee on Business and Rules in the National Assembly (NASS) dated March 6th 2024.

This letter serves to notify the Chairman of the House Committee on Business and Rules that the Senate of the 9th Assembly passed the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Police Pension Board on Tuesday, June 5th, 2023. This bill is expected to manage pension affairs for personnel of the Force and address related matters. However, the corresponding bill, aimed at exempting the Police Force from the provisions of the Contributory Pensions Scheme under the CPS 2014 and addressing other related issues, has been undergoing a harmonization process since its introduction to the floor of the 10th Assembly on November 23rd, 2023. Despite a public hearing conducted by the House Committee on Pensions of the 9th Assembly on February 22nd, 2022, this process remains pending.

At the heart of the issue lies the disparity between the promises made to police retirees and the harsh reality they face. Despite dedicating decades of their lives to serving and protecting their communities, many find themselves struggling to make ends meet in retirement. The meagre pensions they receive are a far cry from the comfortable retirement they were made to believe would be theirs. One of the primary concerns raised by retired police officers is the unfairness of the CPS, which they argue disproportionately benefits those in power while leaving the rank and file to fend for themselves. While senior officers enjoy generous pensions and perks, lower-ranking retirees are left with paltry sums that are insufficient to cover even their basic needs.

Furthermore, the decision by the top echelon of the police to exempt themselves from the CPS only serves to highlight the inherent flaws in the system. If the scheme were truly beneficial, why would those at the top exempt themselves? This double standard is not only unjust but also emblematic of a broader disregard for the welfare of rank-and-file officers.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, from the previous administration, wrote a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) requesting that the police continue to remain under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). The SGF did not acknowledge the concerns raised by the Nigeria Police Retirees but stated that this decision is in line with the federal government’s white paper on the report of the Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalization of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions, and Agencies. The federal government had previously approved the recommendation that only the military is allowed to opt-out of the CPS. The retirees questioned why the SGF, whose jurisdiction is within the Executive arm of government, would exceed his authority by attempting to influence the legislative decisions of the National Assembly.

On the other hand, the Retirees petitioned the National Assembly, signed by the State Chapters Chairman, stating that they believe the police should be exempted from the CPS, just like the Army, DIA, and DSS. They expressed hope that the esteemed Legislators would listen to their plea for assistance and advised that the SGF’s letter be disregarded.

Furthermore, the NPF retirees who are under the CPS observed that the SGF, being a political appointee of the Executive arm of government, had overstepped his authority by interfering in matters that fall under the purview of the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary. They accused him of creating a parallel legislature with the Director-General of PenCom, Aisha Dahir-Umar, through which he wrote the aforementioned letter to the IGP. The letter, dated July 21st 2022, requested the IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, to halt any efforts to amend Section 5 (i)(a) of the Pension Reform Act 2014 to include the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/09/police-retirees-petition-national-assembly-demand-exit-from-pencom-%EF%BF%BC)

Looting Spree at the Pension Office

The misappropriation of funds designated for retired police officers at the Police Pension Office has been utterly disheartening. Investigations conducted by the International Center for Investigative Reporting revealed that between 2008 and 2011, a staggering sum of N18.1 billion was unlawfully withdrawn from Police pension funds. Shockingly, this illicit activity involved the issuance of some 13,874 fraudulent check leaflets by officials entrusted with managing these funds.

Furthermore, in November 2021, the Federal High Court in Abuja handed down a significant verdict, sentencing a former chairperson of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina, to eight years’ imprisonment for money laundering offenses involving N2 billion from pension funds.

These instances of rampant looting represent a gross betrayal of trust and a blatant disregard for the welfare of retired police officers who depend on these funds for their livelihoods. The scale of these fraudulent activities emphasises the urgent need for pensioners to advocate for improved pension schemes that prioritize transparency, accountability, and the protection of retirees’ financial security.

The dissatisfaction among Police Retirees regarding the existence of multiple retirement schemes reflects a broader pattern of unfair treatment by the government towards retirees across the country. The current state of affairs underscores systemic failures in the handling of retiree welfare. After dedicating their lives to public service, many retirees are confronted with difficult challenges in accessing their pensions. Tragically, some retirees perish in the relentless struggle to claim what is rightfully theirs, while others endure prolonged battles with bureaucracy, only to be denied their pensions altogether. This obvious mistreatment of retirees is a grave injustice that exposes the callous disregard for the well-being of those who have contributed their labour to the nation. 

These failed systemic issues will have to be challenged by organised labour, which means the Police should be allowed to unionise and fight for the interests and welfare of the rank-and-file officers and ensure that retirees receive the support and dignity they deserve in their earliest years.

The dire situation faced by retired police officers is worsened by the extended tenure of Aisha Dahir-Umar as the Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom). She served as the Acting Director General from April 2017 until October 2020, when the Senate officially appointed her as the substantive Director General after being nominated by then-President Muhammadu Buhari. With over eight years in this position, many retirees struggle to access proper healthcare and live in poverty, resulting in unnecessary suffering and premature death. This is a humanitarian crisis that requires immediate attention and action.

 In light of these injustices, it is imperative that we stand in solidarity with retired police officers and support their efforts to secure a better pension scheme. This includes advocating for establishing a dedicated Police Pensions Board that prioritises their needs and ensures they receive the support and respect they deserve.

In conclusion, the plight of retired police officers cannot be ignored any longer. It is time for decisive action to address the systemic injustices they face and ensure they can live out their retirement years with dignity and financial security.