Benue PCC moves against job scams, employment racketeering as Oche holds case conference

James Ogaba Oche, the Honourable Federal Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) in Benue State, has declared an end to the defrauding of unsuspecting members of the public under the guise of securing government employment, conventional jobs, or political appointments.

The Benue State Office of the PCC has initiated a swift process to address such pressing concerns.

In a statement released to the press and signed by Orhemba Akura Charles, the Head of Publicity, James Oche expressed the commission’s readiness to clamp down on job racketeers. He urged victims of job scams to report their complaints to the commission.

Oche disclosed that there were numerous complaints against civil servants who extorted money from the public to facilitate recruitment into paramilitary agencies under the Federal Ministry of Interior, including Customs, NSCDC, Nigeria Correctional Service, and FRSC. He also cautioned the public to refrain from paying for jobs.

In another development, Mr. James Oche held his inaugural case conference as the Honourable Federal Commissioner of the PCC in Benue State following his appointment on October 2, 2024. The initiative aims to expedite the resolution of complex complaints.

On Thursday, November 27, 2024, Commissioner Oche presided over the hearing of four significant complaints at the commission’s headquarters in Makurdi.

In a notable case filed on November 30, 2023, a complaint was lodged against a PCC staff member who also chairs a savings and loan scheme. The staff member allegedly failed to repay ₦88,000, the balance owed for a motorcycle acquired through a hire purchase agreement.

Due to the Respondent’s absence at the conference, Commissioner Oche ordered the Legal Unit to initiate criminal proceedings for contempt of the PCC summons and violation of Section 9(2) of the PCC Act, Cap. P. 37, LFN, 2004. He further instructed that, should the Respondent fail to appear after receiving a hearing notice, deductions would be made directly from the Respondent’s salary to repay the complainant.

In another case, filed on March 27, 2023, a complaint accused an employee at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, of collecting ₦450,000 from a complainant under the pretense of securing a job at the university, a promise that was unfulfilled. Commissioner Oche condemned the unethical practice of exchanging money for employment and ruled that the Respondent should reimburse ₦300,000, considering ₦150,000 had already been repaid.

In a separate case, a foundation alleged that Respondents borrowed ₦350,000 in 2021 at a 20% interest rate but failed to make any repayments. The debt ballooned to ₦5 million. After negotiations, the interest was reduced to ₦3 million, but Commissioner Oche clarified that the PCC would only mediate the principal amount. The Respondents were ordered to commit in writing to refund the principal sum by January 2025.

Additionally, in a positive development, one Respondent promptly refunded ₦40,000, which Commissioner Oche presented directly to the aggrieved complainant.

In another serious case, a complainant alleged that on March 15, 2022, they paid ₦470,000 to a Respondent who falsely promised to secure employment with the NSCDC or the Nigerian Correctional Services. The Respondent was absent from the hearing, prompting Hon. Oche to instruct the Legal Unit to contact the Respondent’s office at the Nigerian Correctional Services and submit a formal request for their appearance at the next hearing scheduled for December 18, 2024.

The conference was attended by several dignitaries, including the Honourable Commissioner and key members of the investigation team: Justin-Chuwang N.I. (Director of Investigation), Kpaakpa Terkura, Onyilo Ene Lucy, and Orhemba Akura Charles (Deputy Directors of Investigation). Assistant Directors of Investigation Akoja Moses and Jeje Pretty also participated, with legal representation provided by Barr. Ogbu Augustine (Assistant Chief State Counsel).

Other key staff members present included Hon. Macjohnson Odey (Special Adviser – Special Duties), Hon. Sunday Oche (Chief of Staff), Hon. Jeffery Anidile (Principal Private Special Adviser), and Hon. Emmanuel Otsai (Media Aide).

Addressing the press after the proceedings, the Federal Commissioner stated that the cases remain under careful consideration, pending the appearance of absent respondents at their next scheduled dates.