The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has launched a thorough investigation into the House of Representatives’ ad hoc committee, which has been scrutinizing federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies for allegations of job racketeering and gross mismanagement. This development comes in the wake of disturbing bribery allegations swirling around the probe panel.
This revelation emerged recently when the ICPC responded to petitions received from both an online media platform and Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, the Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Ad-Hoc Committee responsible for investigating Job Racketeering and Gross Mismanagement in Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
In an official statement conveyed via WhatsApp by ICPC spokesperson Azuka Ogugua, it was stated, “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has commenced an investigation into petitions received from Premium Times and Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Ad-Hoc Committee on the Investigation of Job Racketeering and Gross Mismanagement in Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, over bribery allegations against the probe panel.”
It has been reported by Findwhosabi that several anti-corruption advocates have been calling for a closer examination of certain members of the ad hoc committee who are alleged to have engaged in extortion, purportedly extracting money from ministries, departments, and agencies under the pretense of investigating job racketeering. These calls have come forth in separate interviews conducted by PREMIUM TIMES.
Weeks ago, the committee itself announced that it had received petitions against 39 MDAs (Ministries, Departments, and Agencies) concerning allegations of job racketeering and various infractions. Gagdi, who chairs the committee, disclosed this during a session of the investigative hearing held at the National Assembly.
Among the MDAs under scrutiny are the Federal Character Commission, the Office of the Head of Service, the Budget Office, IPPIS, and the Federal Civil Service Commission, among others. Gagdi emphasized the committee’s mandate to engage with over 600 MDAs to uncover the extent of malfeasance within the federal civil service.
In essence, this unfolding investigation is set to shed light on the alleged misconduct within the committee tasked with ferreting out corruption, marking a crucial step towards accountability and transparency in government operations.