Transparency: Regulator tackles regulator over alleged job racketeering in MDAs

*The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced an investigation into petitions on bribery allegations against the Nigerian House of Representatives’ Ad-Hoc Committee currently probing Job Racketeering and Gross Mismanagement in Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The era of probity and accountability in the Nigerian Government business seems to be here again, as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is investigating the House of Representatives Committee currently probing alleged job racketeering by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

ICPC versus Federal lawmakers

It was learnt the ICPC move to ‘regulate the regulator’ followed petitions against the House Committee and flurry of allegations of bribery against the probe panel in the National Assembly (NASS), Abuja, FCT.

The ICPC, in a statement issued Friday, September 3, 2023, also confirmed that the anti-graft Commission had started an investigation into the matter with the Federal lawmakers.

The Commission’s statement said: “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced 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 (MDAs), over bribery allegations against the probe panel.”

ConsumerConnect had reported the House Adhoc Committee recently disclosed that it received petitions against 39 government MDAs over job racketeering allegations and other violations in Nigeria.

Despite the ICPC’s probe, Hon. Gagdi restated that the House Committee will engage over 600 MDAs to investigate any wrongdoing in the West African country’s Civil Service in line with it’s objectives.