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Former workers of the defunct Jos Steel Rolling Company in Plateau State have expressed renewed hope following the reported arrest of Dr. Innocent Ozoemena Ezuma, Chairman of Zuma Steel West Africa Limited, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged $120 million fraud involving a Ukrainian investor.

The former employees, including widows and orphans of deceased workers, expressed their reactions during an emergency meeting held in Jos on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. The meeting provided an opportunity for the workers to review their longstanding grievances over unpaid salaries, employment entitlements and other unresolved issues dating back nearly two decades.

According to a report by Democracy Newsline, more than 30 former employees attended the meeting to discuss the EFCC investigation and the status of their petition before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions.

HOW THE CRISIS BEGAN

The controversy dates back to 2006, following the privatisation of the Jos Steel Rolling Company and the subsequent involvement of Zuma Steel West Africa Limited.

The former workers alleged that they were re-engaged by the company after the takeover but were subsequently left without regular employment and payment of their outstanding entitlements.

According to accounts provided by the workers, they received only a limited period of full and half salaries before being instructed to stay at home.

They maintain that the situation left many employees and their families in prolonged financial hardship, with some of their former colleagues dying without receiving the benefits they had expected after years of service.

The workers are now seeking answers regarding their employment status, unpaid salaries and other entitlements they claim remain outstanding.

WORKERS SEEK EFCC INTERVENTION

The reported arrest of Ezuma has renewed the workers’ calls for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the company’s takeover and subsequent operations.

The workers want the anti-graft agency to examine their complaints alongside its investigation into the alleged $120 million fraud involving a Ukrainian investor.

They are also seeking scrutiny of allegations relating to the management of the former industrial facility, the handling of its assets and the treatment of employees following the takeover.

However, the workers’ grievances over unpaid entitlements are separate claims that will require appropriate investigation and determination. The reported arrest does not, by itself, establish that the allegations made by the former employees have been proven.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PETITION AWAITS FURTHER ACTION

The former workers have also been pursuing a petition against Dr. Ezuma and Zuma Steel West Africa Limited before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions.

Their leader and lead petitioner, Danjuma Samuel Agbo, a former Public Relations Officer of the company, reportedly told the meeting that the committee concluded its hearing on the petition on September 30, 2026.

The workers are now awaiting the committee’s report and any subsequent action by the House of Representatives.

They hope the legislative process will help address their complaints and clarify the outstanding issues surrounding their employment and entitlements.

FORMER WORKERS RECOUNT YEARS OF HARDSHIP

During the meeting, former employees reportedly recounted their experiences following the takeover.

David Isaiah, who said he was among the first 55 workers recruited by the Federal Government and sent to Germany for training in May 1981, described the development as a source of renewed hope.

Another former employee, Signor Ben, reportedly said the difficulties began after the workers were re-engaged by the company and subsequently instructed to stay at home.

Sani Baba, a mechanical engineer who joined the company in 1983 and worked on spare parts and production-line maintenance, also recounted the challenges faced by former employees.

According to the report, the workers alleged that they had received only a few months of salary payments before their employment situation deteriorated.

They further raised concerns about the treatment of former staff occupying company quarters, alleging that some were asked to pay rent or leave the premises.

These accounts represent the workers’ claims and have not been independently established in their entirety.

📌 WHAT IS THE $120 MILLION FRAUD INVESTIGATION ABOUT?

The EFCC reportedly arrested Ezuma at his Abuja residence on October 19, 2026, over allegations that he obtained more than $120 million from a Ukrainian investor between 2007 and 2015 for mineral exploration and power projects that were allegedly not executed as agreed.

The allegations under investigation reportedly include advance-fee fraud, criminal breach of trust, criminal conversion, obtaining money under false pretences, theft and money laundering.

EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrest to the News Agency of Nigeria but declined to provide further details about the investigation.

Media reports have also linked the broader investigation to questions surrounding the handling of investment funds and earlier business dealings associated with the businessman.

It is important to note that these are allegations under investigation, not proof of guilt. The reported investment-fraud investigation and the former workers’ employment claims should not be treated as the same case unless the relevant authorities establish a connection.

📌 WORKERS CALL FOR JUSTICE

The former employees have reportedly welcomed the EFCC’s intervention, expressing hope that the investigation will not be compromised and that their longstanding complaints will receive appropriate attention.

For the workers, many of whom say they have waited nearly 20 years for their outstanding entitlements, the immediate concern remains whether their grievances will finally be addressed.

They are looking to the EFCC, the National Assembly and other relevant authorities for a thorough examination of their complaints and any necessary action in accordance with the law.

The case has once again drawn attention to the challenges that can arise when public assets are privatised and questions emerge about the protection of workers’ rights, the management of industrial facilities and accountability.

For Plateau State, the future of the former Jos Steel Rolling Company and the welfare of its former employees remain important issues.

As the investigation continues, the former workers are hoping that their long wait for answers and justice will finally yield results.

Jos Events will continue to monitor developments surrounding the EFCC investigation, the National Assembly petition and the former Jos Steel workers’ demands.

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