BREAKING: ICPC investigates House of Reps panel amid allegations

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has initiated an inquiry into the House of Representatives’ ad hoc committee’s activities, which is investigating federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies for alleged job racketeering and gross mismanagement. This action comes in response to allegations of bribery involving the investigative panel.

This development was announced by the anti-graft agency on Friday, revealing that they launched the investigation after receiving complaints from an online media platform (not PUNCH) and Yusuf Gagdi, the Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Ad Hoc Committee on the Investigation of Job Racketeering and Gross Mismanagement in Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

Azuka Ogugua, the spokesperson for the ICPC, conveyed this information in an official message via WhatsApp, stating, “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’s worth noting that certain anti-corruption advocates have urged anti-graft agencies to examine the ad hoc committee members who are allegedly involved in soliciting funds from ministries, departments, and agencies under the pretext of investigating job racketeering. These calls were made in separate interviews with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday.

Several weeks ago, the committee disclosed that it had received complaints against 39 MDAs concerning job racketeering and other irregularities. Gagdi, the Committee’s Chairman, made this announcement during a hearing at the National Assembly. Some of the implicated MDAs include the Federal Character Commission, Office of the Head of Service, Budget Office, IPPIS, and the Federal Civil Service Commission, among others. Gagdi further stated that the Committee, in accordance with its mandate, would engage with over 600 MDAs to uncover the extent of malpractice within the federal civil service.