HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE READS RIOT ACT TO IPPIS BUDGET OFFICE
By Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The House of Representative 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.
The Chairman of the committee Mr Yusuf Gagdi, who made the remark, said the committee was in a dilemma why IPPIS and 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 personality and not willing to substantiate the claim. He has been accused of working in three different institutions.
A driver to the commissioner, representing Taraba State 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 him that they are willing to buy slots.
“After a month, Kolo called me that there is another slot worthh N1.5 million.
The investigation continues tomorrow Thursday as witnesses and the affected MDAs has been ordered to appear before the committee.
COV/