The decision, taken on Thursday, followed petitions alleging
dual appointments and failure to render financial accounts.

A petition was sent to the committee, accusing Emukowhate of
simultaneously serving as a board member of the South-South Development
Commission (SSDC) while holding office at PENCOM — a breach of public service
regulations.

In May, Emukowhate was nominated by President Bola Tinubu as
a board member of the SSDC.

In June, the senate confirmed the appointment of Emukowhate
and others as members of the SSDC’s governing board.

Cyril Fasuyi, chairman of the committee and senator
representing Ekiti north, described the allegations as “serious and weighty”,
saying the committee could not proceed with the screening until the issues were
fully investigated.

“These are serious and weighty issues. The committee cannot
proceed with Mr Emukowhate’s reappointment until these allegations are fully
investigated,” Fasuyi said.

He added that the committee also received reports indicating
that PENCOM had failed to submit audited financial statements for the past four
years.

“The commission has not rendered any financial account for
four years. This raises deep concerns about transparency and financial
stewardship,” he said.

Following deliberations, the committee resolved to step down
Emukowhate’s screening indefinitely pending a full investigation into the
allegations of misconduct and financial negligence.

Other nominees, including Opeyemi Agbaje, PENCOM’s board
chairman-designate, were, however, cleared after meeting all ethical and
statutory requirements.

Fasuyi commended the cleared nominees for their competence
and integrity, adding that the senate remained committed to sanitising the
pension sector and restoring public trust in the management of retirees’ funds.

“The senate will not overlook any breach of law or ethical
standard. We owe it to Nigerians to protect the integrity of public
institutions and ensure that those entrusted with pension funds are beyond
reproach,” he added.