It was supposed to be a routine screening at the National Assembly — a quick tick-box affair for the reappointment of members to the National Pension Commission (PenCom). But then came the twist: Charles E. Emukowhate’s reappointment as Commissioner of Finance hit a brick wall after senators dropped a bombshell — allegations of double-dipping and four years of missing financial reports.
According to a petition read before the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Emukowhate has been holding two juicy federal appointments — one as PenCom’s Finance Commissioner and another as a board member of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) representing Delta State.
If true, that’s a straight-up violation of the Constitution, the Public Service Rules, and every principle of accountability the civil service claims to uphold.
But that’s not all. The petition also accused Emukowhate of failing to render any financial statements from PenCom for four whole years — a major red flag for transparency in an agency that manages the retirement savings of millions of Nigerians.
Under the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) Act, such an omission isn’t just bad form — it’s potentially criminal. Every federal institution is required to submit audited financial statements annually. Failure to do so could lead to prosecution.
As the petition was read aloud, the Senate session went from calm to combustible. The committee’s chairman, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, didn’t mince words.
“The allegations are serious and weighty,” Fasuyi declared. “No reappointment will go forward until we investigate this matter thoroughly.”
He went on to reveal that credible reports showed PenCom hadn’t submitted any audited accounts in years.
“These are issues that go to the heart of accountability and integrity,” he added. “We cannot ignore them.”
With that, Emukowhate’s screening was suspended indefinitely, pending further investigation.
The rest of the nominees, however, sailed through without incident — including the newly appointed board chairman, Opeyemi Agbaje, who received glowing commendations from the Senate for his credentials and commitment to reform.
Meanwhile, the constitutional hammer looms large. Section 318(1) of the 1999 Constitution and Paragraph 2(b) of the Fifth Schedule make it crystal clear: a public officer cannot hold two public offices at the same time. The Public Service Rules (PSR 030402) back that up, classifying dual appointments as serious misconduct — the kind that could get you kicked out of government entirely.
Senator Fasuyi wrapped up the session with a clear warning:
“The Senate will not turn a blind eye to breaches of law or ethics. We must protect the integrity of our pension system and ensure that public funds are in the hands of people beyond reproach.”
Now, all eyes are on the outcome of the investigation. Will Emukowhate clear his name — or will this seeming scandal mark the end of his PenCom career? Either way, this high-stakes finance drama is far from over.
