A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Media
Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption (MIIVOC), has dragged the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before
the Federal Character Commission, Abuja for violation of Federal character
principles in staffing and appointments, reports ITRealms.
The group’s Information Officer, Phillip Inyang confirmed this to ITRealms in a press statement saying a petition dated 18th April, 2016,
signed by himself alleged
that over sixty per cent of the staff of the EFCC are from one State in the
northern part of the country, while also alleging a secret recruitment by the
Commission.
“We write, in recognition
of your mandate, to draw your attention to the obvious lopsidedness in the
staff strength of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as well
as a secret recruitment presently going on in the Commission.”
“Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission’s present staff strength is made up of majority of
northerners, particularly, Adamawa, Gombe and Borno states. In fact, over sixty
(60) percent of the staff of the Commission, are from Adamawa State. It is
followed by Gombe and Borno States, respectively. This, no doubt, defeats the
Federal Character principle.”
“EFCC’s former chairmen,
Nuhu Ribadu and Ibrahim Lamorde, both from Adamawa states, used their positions
to influence the massive recruitment of indigenes of the state into the
Commission, not minding their qualifications and experience, as well as the
Federal Character principle.”
“Presently, a secret recruitment is
ongoing in the Commission, designed to favour the same northerners, with
special interest in Gombe, the home state of the incumbent Acting Chairman of
the Commission. The recruitment exercise is believed to be a ploy by the
incumbent Chairman to impress some politically exposed persons in the region,
particularly, those close to the Presidency, with a view to retaining his
office and being made a substantive chairman.”
“A post on the WhatsApp group of Northern
Youth Professionals published the original internal (secret) advert on the
recruitment for northerners. The advert is titled: “2016 Recruitment Exercise
for young Northern Nigerian men and women”. The last sentence in the advert
also says: “please send to only NORTHERN Nigerian candidates.”
“In recognition of your mandate, part of
which is to ensure balance and equity in the distribution of posts and
socio-economic activities in Nigeria, we most respectfully request that you use
your good offices to ensure: an investigation into the ongoing secret
recruitment in the EFCC, as stated; Equity in the distribution/employment of
staff in the Commission. There should be equity and balance in the numerical
strength of staff, ie, all the six geopolitical zones (and states) of the
country should be equitably represented; Equity in the staff employment in the
Commission, also reflecting all the geopolitical zones of the country and
gender parity, as well as transparency in recruitment process.”
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