The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully recovered a substantial sum of ₦1.05 billion for 659 teachers who were disengaged from the Adamawa State Post-Primary Schools Management Board. This recovery follows a prolonged legal struggle regarding their outstanding entitlements, which had been pending since their dismissal.

On Thursday, the EFCC's Gombe Zonal Directorate presented a bank draft worth ₦1,054,919,532.61 to the affected staff. This action was a direct response to a petition filed in 2024 by Abraham B. Song, who brought attention to the non-payment of entitlements owed to these teachers. The petition highlighted that the teachers were employed by the Adamawa State Government in 2012 but had their appointments declared illegal in 2014, leading to their disengagement.

The teachers, who worked for 29 months in various secondary schools across the state, sought justice through the National Industrial Court of Nigeria. The court ruled in their favor, ordering the state government to settle their outstanding entitlements. However, the government's failure to comply with this order led to garnishee proceedings against its accounts.

During the handover ceremony, Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, Austine Adache, emphasized the commission’s dedication to ensuring accountability and justice in financial matters. He stated, "The EFCC remains committed to ensuring that victims of financial misconduct receive appropriate redress in accordance with the law."

The recovery process was initiated after the EFCC received intelligence regarding a potential misapplication of the funds meant for the teachers. The commission took necessary measures to preserve these funds while conducting its investigation, which ultimately led to their recovery and restitution.

Luka Musa Haruna, SAN, who represented the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude towards the EFCC for their diligent efforts in recovering the funds. He reiterated his confidence in the commission's ability to tackle economic and financial crimes in Nigeria. Similarly, Abraham B. Song commended the EFCC’s intervention, stating that the recovered funds would significantly alleviate the financial hardships faced by the affected teachers.

This handover marks a pivotal moment in the long-standing struggle of the disengaged teachers to reclaim their rightful entitlements, bringing closure to a challenging chapter in their professional lives.