A coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Rivers State is calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate corruption allegations against Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Muheeba Dankaka.
This comes as the House of Representatives Committee, assigned to probe the matter over a year ago, has yet to deliver its findings.
During the committee’s hearings, led by Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau), 14 witnesses testified that they had paid money to Haruna Kolo, a former IPPIS desk officer at the FCC, for job placements. Kolo admitted to collecting these payments and claimed he had forwarded the money to Dankaka.
In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Chairman of the Rivers State Civil Society Organisation, Enefa Georgewill, stated, “The EFCC and ICPC must prosecute these corruption allegations, and anyone found guilty should be held accountable.”
He criticized the House of Representatives for its inaction and urged the anti-graft agencies to prove their effectiveness beyond handling minor cybercrimes.
Georgewill further emphasized, “Since the House of Representatives has failed to submit its report, it is now up to the EFCC and ICPC to show that they are committed to fighting corruption. Individual committee members should publicly address the current status of the investigation.”
The Chancellor of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, Jackson Omenazu, expressed frustration over the issue, saying, “The corruption within the Federal Character Commission is severe and is negatively impacting many Nigerians.”
He pointed out the failure to ensure “national spread” in employment across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, citing instances where individuals with lower JAMB scores receive placements over those with higher scores.
Omenazu added, “This is why someone with 200 in JAMB may not gain admission, while someone with 160 might. Such issues contribute to the country’s growing unrest.”
He also called for transparency, stating, “It is unacceptable to use public resources for an investigation only for the findings to be withheld. The report must be made public. Nigerians should not be misled by oversight functions that are not transparent.”
