ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has announced on Friday, September 1, 2023, an investigation into bribery allegations against a House of Representatives committee probing job racketeering within federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, MDAs.
The probe comes after the anti-graft agency received petitions from news outlet 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 MDAs.
These petitions highlight suspected malpractices within the very committee formed to root out corruption and inefficiency in the country’s civil service.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has commenced investigation into petitions received over bribery allegations against the probe panel,” the agency said in a Friday evening statement.
This development arrives weeks after the same committee revealed it had received petitions against 39 MDAs over job racketeering allegations and other violations.
At that time, Gagdi stated that the committee planned to scrutinize more than 600 MDAs to expose any irregularities in Nigeria’s civil service sector.
Gagdi reiterated the committee’s dedication to its objectives: “We are committed to unearthing malpractices within the MDAs. However, our house must be in order, so we welcome the ICPC’s investigation into these allegations.”
The probe into the investigating committee adds a new layer of complexity to Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with corruption, particularly within governmental organizations.
It also presents a credibility challenge for the House of Representatives, as it doubts the effectiveness and honesty of its oversight functions.
Public reaction to the news has been mixed, with some praising the ICPC’s proactive stance and others questioning how far-reaching these investigations can truly be if the committees designed to expose corruption are themselves under scrutiny.
The situation has also sparked renewed calls for systemic reform in how Nigeria deals with corruption, from the top layers of government down to its most basic units.
The ICPC investigation is being keenly watched by the public and analysts alike, as its findings could significantly impact not only the credibility of the House committee but also the broader fight against corruption in Nigeria.
