Job Racketeering: Allegations of Bribery, Extortion Against Members Grave, Say Lawmakers 

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The House of Representatives has described the  allegation of bribery and extortion levelled against members of its ad hoc committee investigating job racketeering in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as grave.
To this end, the House called on members of the public, and any of the affected government entities with evidence related to the allegations to approach the House for necessary action.

The spokesperson of the House, Akin Rotimi, stated this in a statement issued Tuesday while responding to the exclusive report by a news medium titled, ‘Investigation: Nigerian Lawmakers Probing Job Racketeering Are Extorting Money From Agencies.’

He said: “In the referenced report, it was alleged that some members were involved in extorting some government entities, with a view to compromising the mandate of the committee. The House leadership considers these allegations grave and deserving of an appropriate response.

“We would like to state clearly that we have no reason to doubt the integrity of the leadership and members of the referenced committee, who were carefully selected based on their respective professional pedigrees, competence and character to carry out this important national assignment.”

Rotimi called on the public to take cognisance of the fact that following the serious revelations that have emerged from the work of the referenced committee, which have been well publicised and televised, it would not be strange for them to face unwarranted attacks on their integrity, individually and collectively, as a means of distracting them.

He added: “We, however, invite members of the public, and any of the affected government entities with evidence related to the allegations, to approach the House for necessary action.”

The spokesperson recalled that the Speaker, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has stated in multiple engagements that in line with the expectations of Nigerians, the 10th House of Representatives will be a champion of anti-corruption efforts in this new dispensation.

Rotimi reiterated that members of the House would not be distracted from carrying their mandate as enshrined in Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution, which gives the National Assembly powers to expose corruption for the good governance of Nigeria.