The House of Representatives has promised to unravel the truth about the accusations and counter-accusations of job racketeering in the Federal Character Commission in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee, Yusuf Gagdi made the promise as the committee resumed its hearing in Abuja.
The Committee is investigating the Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies ( MDAs) Parastatals and Tertiary Institutions on Mismanagement Personnel Recruitment, Employment Racketeering, and Gross Mismanagement of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, (IPPIS).
Yusuf Gagdi said that the House through the Committee has collated evidence that would lead to the reformation of the Federal Character Commission.
He said that “the committee will not cover up for anyone and that anyone found wanting will face the full wrath of the law.”
“We will look into the other soft issues, the deep issues we’ll use our laws too. The one that we can appeal to you, we will, but the one that we will allow the cause of justice to prevail, we will definitely do that. You are still Commissioners of the Federal Character Commission, I expect that from the revelations you have made here, going forward, you cannot because of the problem within the agency suffocate other agencies. Continue your work on a different page while you wait for our recommendations. We will come out with a very tough position in line with accusations and counter-accusations. The people that need to be clearly exonerated, we will come out to say that at the end of the day. But we will be needing you on daily basis. Where we need to invite you here to come and make clarification, we will. But I appeal to you, if you have hope and confidence in this committee, let us stop further escalation of any situation outside. Allow us with the fact you have submitted to us, by the special grace of God, everybody will smile at the end of the day. We will take decisions that are in the best interest of the Nigerian government,” Gagdi said.
He also appealed to all the Federal Commissioners to always have the interest of Nigeria at heart, not only the interest of their individual states for the good of all.
A Former IPPIS desk officer at Federal Character Commission, FCC, Mr. Haruna Kolo, who was alleged to be involved in Job racketeering in the Commission said he acted based on an instruction from the Chairman of the Commission, Mrs. Muyeebat Dankaka.
He said that the appointment letters given to the job seekers in the commission were not fake as the FCC Chairman signed the letters herself.
According to Mr Kolo, he resigned from FCC on the 2nd of November 2022 to begin work at Asset Management Cooperation of Nigeria but he still received salary from FCC on two occasions which he claimed he reported to the FCC Human Resource officer but was told it was not an issue and that it would be handled.
Kolo said “when she came to Federal Character as the Executive Chairman, she appointed me as a protocol officer I carried out my duty diligently.
He said; “On the allegations of job racketeering, the FCC Chairman instructed me to liaise with one Mr Shehu who is a personal driver and PA to the Taraba State commissioner. As a desk officer, am responsible to take whoever is employed to IPPIS for capturing no one can go there without a letter from the Chairman or Human Resource officer of FCC.
“When she came, she wrote a letter to the Accountant General instructing that no letter from FCC should be honored except she signs the letter. So whenever there was new employment, she signs, gives to me and I take to the Accountant General’s office for capturing.”
“Shehu is the one that brought those who paid monies to my account for job, some paid 1million others 1.5 million all to my personal account, my Eco bank account. She asked me to give cash to her which I did through POS so there is not evidence of transfer or anything.
“On the allegation of working at seven places, I was never at any time get involved in seven jobs, they are making the allegation based on assumption.”
The second allegation on my subsequent employment at AMCOM was a result of her personal favour to me.
He said; “We were four in number, she gave the appointment letter to me Kadijah, Olushola, we all proceeded for interview at AMCON headquarters Abuja after which we were called upon for training on the 16th January 2023, after the training, I and Olushola were called to Lagos. Unfortunately, Kadijah who is the Chairman’s biological sister was rejected, The Chairman accused me of being responsible for her rejection.
“I see no reason the Chairperson will make allegations of such magnitude against me. I have been threatened even at gunpoint and had to leave Abuja.
“Sir, I want this committee to know that after this sitting if anything happens to me the FCC chairperson should be held responsible, “ Kolo stressed.
When asked if the chairman of the Commission was aware of his transfer out of the Commission to AMCON, he explained that the FCC Chairman was aware of the transfer to AMCON contrary to earlier submission.
Responding the FCC Chairman Mrs Muyeebat, Dankaka denied the allegations saying she didn’t give Haruna Kolo any instructions to collect money from Job seeks before getting Jobs.
She further stated that when the case of job racketeering by Haruna Kolo was brought before her , she wrote to EFCC, ICPC and DSS so they could investigate the matter.
The committee to this end, adjourned the sitting to Wednesday, 8th of August 2023.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
