Anambra Warns Retiring Civil Servants Against Pension Fraudsters

The Anambra State Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Ngozi Anuli Iwouno, has warned retiring public servants against engaging middlemen or unauthorized agents who claim they can facilitate the processing of retirement benefits.

The warning was contained in a circular issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service, following reports of fraudulent individuals exploiting intending retirees and delays arising from incomplete retirement documentation.

Iwouno directed all officers due for retirement to ensure their files contain all required documents, including bank statements covering the last three months before retirement and functional telephone numbers to facilitate communication during the processing of their benefits.

She also advised intending retirees to verify that all necessary documents have been submitted before forwarding their retirement files to the appropriate authorities.

"Processing retirement benefits is an official government responsibility and does not require the payment of money, gratification or any form of inducement to staff, agents or intermediaries," the circular stated.

The Head of Civil Service urged retirees and pensioners to report any pension official or middleman demanding money to facilitate their retirement benefits through the government's designated hotline, 09070115759.

She further directed officers whose retirement files remain unattended in the Pension Department for more than five working days to report the matter, with details of their submission, directly to the Office of the Head of Civil Service.

Iwouno also instructed Accounting Officers, Directors of Administration, Heads of Departments and Pension Desk Officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure the circular is widely circulated and strictly implemented.

She reaffirmed the Anambra State Government's commitment to a transparent, efficient and timely retirement benefits process, assuring retiring officers that reforms would continue to improve service delivery.