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FCC Job Racketeering: Reps Summon AG, AMCON Boss, Others
The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating job racketeering in Federal Character Commission (FCC) has vowed to exercise its constitutional right on anybody or organisation who failed to honour invitations to appear before it.
It also accused the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System, IPPIS, of dodging its investigation.
The Green chamber equally summoned the former desk officer of the FCC, Haruna Kolo, demanding that the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), where he is currently employed, provide him unfailingly yesterday to give further clarification on allegations made against him and by him against chairman of the commission, Muheeba Farida Dankaka, and others.
The committee also asked the Accountant General of the Federation, the Director of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS, as well as the Auditor General of the Federation to appear before it.
Recall that Kolo had earlier on Monday, appeared before the committee and admitted collecting money, amounting to N75 million from job seekers, on the instruction of the chairman, Dankaka.
He was expected to appear for further clarification and on the basis of the evidence on allegations made against him and the allegations he made against his former boss and others but failed to respond to further invitations by the committee.
Meanwhile, the driver and personal assistant of the FCC commissioner for Taraba State who were fingered in the allegation, appeared before the committee last Wednesday, denying some of the allegations.
According to the driver, identified as Yishau Gambo, in his testimony, “I came to FCC in 2022 with the Taraba State commissioner.
“The commissioner paid me from his personal salary and I was not employed alongside those employed in 2022.”
He, however, admitted he worked with Kolo to sell employment to some persons.
The PA to Taraba State commissioner in the commission, Abdulraman Ibrahim, said his boss asked him to submit his Curriculum Vitae for employment, adding that he got his employment letter in 2023 but was yet to be captured.
He denied being part of those employed in 2022 as alleged by Kolo, as the committee directed him to bring today the employment letter he was given.
Ruling on the matter, chairman of the Ad hoc Committee, Yusuf Gagdi, said Kolo must appear unfailingly to substantiate the allegations.
He said: “The committee is in a dilemma why the IPPIS is absconding from the sitting. Why are the desk officers of IPPIS Head of Service and Budget Office absconding?
“We have interacted with the then Accountant General of the Federation and demanded that the IPPIS should post two persons here. Why was Kolo so comfortable to take people at will to IPPIS office for capture.
“Clerk, summon the Accountant General and the Director of the IPPIS to be here tomorrow (today) at 10am. I don’t know why they are running away.
“Secondly, we are equally confused but we have solution as to why Kolo would not come here. He got a notice for 12 o’clock and one o’clock he is in this hall, only for us to ask him to return yesterday and asked to be here today, he absconded. I will sign a letter officially to AMCON to produce Kolo tomorrow (today) by 10 am.
“At least, we have given benefit of the doubt twice. I think it is better Kolo listened to us and appear here, unless he is acting a script to misguide this proceeding and send lies across the federation.
“Let him come, we are interacting. There is nobody here that was intimidated. We are to represent Nigerian people, the good, the bad and the ugly. We owe everyone the duty of care.
“Clerk, call AMCON on phone and send text to them to come here with Kolo. AMCON is supposed to appear before us today (yesterday). Why are they not appearing? Do they know something about what Kolo is doing and why they admitted him in AMCON?
“We would go to the root of this matter, no matter how the agencies claim to be smart or run away. They must come here, we must account to the Nigerian people what we are doing in all the institutions that position of trust is embedded on us.”
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.