Job Racketeering: Reps Give FCC’s Chair 24-hour Ultimatum

The House of Representatives has given the chairman Federal Character Commission (FCC), Dr Muheeba Dankaka 24 hours ultimatum to appear before its Ad-hoc Committee investigating job racketeering and gross mismanagement of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) in Nigeria.

Earlier, a mild drama ensued at the sitting of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating job racketeering and gross mismanagement of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) in Nigeria, yesterday.

This was as the commissioner, representing Delta State in the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Moses Anaughe told the lawmakers that the commission’s chairman, Dr Muheeba Dankaka lied that she had a medical appointment with her doctor.

Anaughe, who said it was the chairman’s usual way of dodging invitations of the National Assembly, revealed that she was sitting in her office as the investigative hearing was going on.

It all started when the FCC Commissioner from Taraba State, Armayau Abubakar who was representing the chairman, presented a letter to the committee, indicating that she was unavoidably absent due to a medical appointment with her doctor.

The Abubakar-led delegation appealed that the Commission be given a new date to come with the required documents and chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi moved that the request be granted.

However, the Delta commissioner stormed the meeting and called the attention of the lawmakers that the chairman, Dankaka was currently in the office and not in the hospital as at 12 noon.

“I want to stress that this is her usual excuse for various committees that invited her. I should be on record”, Anaughe said.

Acting on the information, the committee rescinded its earlier resolution, following a motion moved by Hon. Gaza Gbewfi (SDP, Nasarawa) while the commissioners present were put under oath.

Ruling, the committee chairman ordered that the FCC chairman and all Commissioners appear before the panel unfailingly today.

Earlier, while declaring the investigation open, speaker of the House, Hon Tajudeen Abbas said mismanagement and subversion of the IPPIS is a gross misconduct and criminal activity that challenges the very core principles of prudent management of the nation’s financial resources.

Represented by the deputy speaker, Hon Benjamin Kalu, the speaker said: “The matters before this Ad-hoc Committee represent the yearnings of Nigerian citizens, hence, must be treated with keen attention.

“The abuse of personnel recruitment and blatant employment racketeering destroys the essence of bureaucratic processes and leaves damaging implications. It affects the integrity of our institutions and distorts the aspirations of many citizens who seek competitive and fair opportunities.”