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The Street Journal
In an intriguing turn of events, the House of Representatives, in its pursuit of justice, has found itself at the center of a contentious job racketeering probe. The repercussions of this ongoing investigation are resonating throughout Nigeria. As the sun set on yesterday's session, the House held the metaphorical sword of constitutional power over the Budget Office and the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), threatening to bring them to heel for failing to appear before the probing eyes of justice.
Missing Pieces: IPPIS and Accountability
Amidst the tense atmosphere, a glaring absence was noted—a conspicuous vacancy where an officer of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) should have stood. The lawmakers, stewards of the people's interests, swiftly ordered the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) to usher in the elusive IPPIS officer before the committee. This demand, a manifestation of their commitment to transparency and diligence, aims to shine light on the shadows cast by this intricate saga.
Unanswered Questions: Chairman Gagdi's Revelation
The chairman of the ad hoc committee tasked with unearthing the roots of employment racketeering and the unsettling mismanagement of IPPIS, Yusuf Gagdi, didn't mince his words. Expressing his bewilderment at the collective absence of IPPIS, the Budget Office, and Haruna Kolo—an individual enshrouded in suspicion—Gagdi declared that attempts by these entities to evade scrutiny would be met with steadfast resistance.
With conviction, Gagdi mused, "I also don’t know why Kolo is not coming back to appear before this committee; he seems to have absconded. I will sign a letter to AMCON to produce Kolo on Thursday (today). It is better he listens to us, unless he is acting a script and selling lies to us; he should come, so we can interact with him. We owe everybody the duty of care. We need him by 10:00 a.m., tomorrow. The clerk of the committee should call AMCON on the phone and tell them to produce Kolo, or do they know what Kolo is hiding?"
Voices of the Investigation: Witnesses Speak
Parallel to the House's pursuit of truth, voices emerged from the labyrinthine corridors of investigation. Abdulrahman Ibrahim, a witness deeply embroiled in the web of the ongoing job scam probe, refuted the claims made by certain commissioners of the Federal Character Commission. These commissioners, Ibrahim contends, asserted that they were denied slots since their appointments. Ibrahim, a beneficiary of the alleged racketeering and a close aide to the commissioner representing Taraba, countered this narrative with a bold assertion: "All the commissioners were given slots."
The tapestry of testimonies continued to unravel as Yisha’u Gambo, entrusted as the driver to the commissioner representing Taraba, provided insight. Speaking in Hausa, Gambo revealed that he had received a substantial sum of N2 million, purportedly from Kolo—a paymentpaymen made by an aspirant for coveted opportunities.