EFCC, ICPC Urged to Probe Federal Character Commission Job Racketeering Scandal
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A coalition of civil society organizations in Rivers State has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a thorough investigation into job racketeering allegations against the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Muheeba Dankaka. The call comes after an extended delay by the House of Representatives in delivering a report on the matter, despite being tasked with the investigation over a year ago.
The controversy first surfaced during a House Committee hearing, led by Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau), where 14 witnesses testified that they paid bribes to secure job placements at the FCC. Haruna Kolo, a former IPPIS desk officer, admitted to collecting money from job seekers and claimed he passed the funds on to Dankaka. Despite this admission, the committee has yet to submit its findings.
In an interview with *Sunday PUNCH*, Enefa Georgewill, Chairman of the Rivers State Civil Society Organisation, expressed frustration with the inaction of the House of Representatives, urging anti-corruption agencies to take over the investigation. “The EFCC and ICPC must prosecute these allegations, and anyone found guilty should face the full weight of the law,” Georgewill said. He also criticized the House for failing to conclude its investigation, calling for transparency and accountability from both the lawmakers and the anti-graft agencies.
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Georgewill stressed that the anti-corruption agencies must demonstrate their capacity to handle major cases beyond minor cybercrimes, saying, “It’s time for the EFCC and ICPC to show that they are serious about fighting systemic corruption.” He added that individual members of the House committee should publicly address the investigation’s status to reassure the public of their commitment to justice.
Jackson Omenazu, Chancellor of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, also voiced his concerns, highlighting the severe impact of corruption within the FCC on Nigeria’s employment system. He pointed out that the failure to ensure fairness in federal job distribution across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) has deepened inequality and public discontent. “This is why someone with a JAMB score of 200 may not gain admission, while another person with 160 might. Such issues contribute to the growing unrest in the country,” Omenazu said.
Omenazu further criticized the lack of transparency in the ongoing investigation, calling for the immediate release of the committee’s findings. “It is unacceptable to spend public resources on an investigation, only for the results to be hidden from the people. The report must be made public, and Nigerians should not be kept in the dark,” he added.
The civil society leaders have called on the EFCC and ICPC to take swift action, emphasizing the need for justice, accountability, and transparency in addressing corruption within the FCC, which plays a critical role in ensuring equitable distribution of federal jobs across Nigeria.
Source: Punch
https://punchng.com/efcc-icpc-urged-to-probe-fcc-job-racketeering/
