Pension Board catches fraudster defrauding pensioners in Cross River

• …says government is yet to commence payment of gratuity

By Frank Ulom

The Cross River State Local Government Pensions Board has caught one Ekanem Inyang who uses two phone and account numbers to defraud pensioners in the state.

According to a press statement signed by Mrs Maria Menku Odu,
Executive Secretary/Director of Administration of the Board on Tuesday, 16th April 2024, Inyang has been parading himself as an agent of the Board.

The statement said the fraudster has been defrauding unsuspecting pensioners of their hard-earned money under the pretext of processing their gratuity.

It added that the government is yet to commence payment of gratuity, further stating that the Board will never ask anyone for money in order to process their gratuity or pension.

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“The Cross River State Local Government Pensions Board has noticed with dismay the activity of some unscrupulous elements/ impersonators alleged to be one Ekanem Inyang (with phone number: 08142201801, 07033286242), and Acct details- (Acct name: Ekanem Monday James, Acct num: 3191026990, Bank name: First bank, Acct name: Samuel Omoh, Acct. num: 4470189161, Bank name: Eco Bank), who go about parading self as agent of the Board, hence defrauding unsuspecting pensioners of their hard-earned money in pretext for processing their gratuity.

“Arising from the foregoing, the Board, therefore, states as follows:

1. That the Governor, His Excellency, Senator Bassey Otu remains committed to ameliorating the plights of senior citizens through payment of gratuity.

2. That the government is yet to commence payment of gratuity, however, concerted efforts are already being made towards payment.

3. That the Local Government Pensions Board does not and would on no account ask for, financial inducements to carry out its civic responsibility.

4. That the said people defrauding pensioners in whatever guise are not staff of the Board.

5. The Board warns members of the public and pensioners, in particular, to be wary of such miscreants, as it is working tirelessly to track and bring the impostors to book.

“For more information or clarification, contact the Board’s approved representative on 08088966416,” the statement read.