IPPIS Saga: House Threatens To Invoke Constitutional Powers On AMCON

The House of Representatives adhoc committee investigating alleged job racketeering in MDAs has threatened to invoke its constitutional power on IPPIS, Budget Office and the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) over failure to appear before it in the ongoing probe.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr Yusuf Gagdi, who made the remark, said the committee was in a dilemma because IPPIS and the budget office refused to appear before the committee for continuation of the hearing.

The Committee subsequently directed the Accountant General of the Federation to bring along the IPPIS officer before the committee on Thursday 10th August, adding that any further attempt to run away would be resisted.

The committee chairman also queried why Haruna Kolo, the prime suspect in the Federal Character Commission job racketeering saga did not appear before the committee after he was asked to present himself.

“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 tomorrow.

“Kolo cannot come and tell us he collected money, linked it to a personality and not willing to substantiate the claim. He has been accused of working in three different institutions.

Meanwhile, Two witnesses who were yesterday summoned to appear before the Commitee, because they were linked with Haruna Kolo appeared before it to give their own side of the story in the ongoing job racketeering probe.

They are the Personal assistant, Mr Abdulraman Ibrahim and the driver, Mr. Yisua Gambo of the Commissioner representating, Taraba state.

Mr Abdulraman Ibrahim who is one of the beneficiaries of the recruitment in the Commissiion, faulted claims by some commissioners in FCC that they had not been given any slot since they were appointed.

According to him, they were given two slots each per state and there was an interview to that effect and other processes followed in 2023 and thereafter, a letter of employment was given to me after the interview.

Also Mr Yisha’u Gambo, testified that he collected 2 million naira on behalf of the former IPPIS desk officer in the FCC, Mr Haruna Kolo from job seekers.

“Kolo met me and said I should talk to people that need employment so that he could talk to them. Then he called me to bring one person and I said there are many that have been talking to me that they are willing to buy slots.

“After a month, Kolo called me that there is another slot worth N1.5 million.

The investigation continues tomorrow Thursday as witnesses and the affected MDAs have been ordered to appear before the committee.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji