By Becky Usman

Muheeba Dankaka, the Chairperson of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), revealed that the commission was operating like a marketplace for selling job slots before she assumed office. Dankaka made this revelation while appearing before the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating alleged job racketeering and abuse of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

The House had summoned Dankaka and all the 36 commissioners of the commission to appear after she failed to do so on the initial date.

During the panel session, commissioners representing Osun State and Rivers State accused Dankaka of running the commission in violation of the 1999 Constitution, Section 2 of the FCC Act, and other laws. They alleged that she engaged in job racketeering and abused her position.

In response, Dankaka denied the allegations and accused the commissioners from the ‘Integrity Group’ of mischief and blackmail. She asserted that her refusal to compromise had led to these attacks, as she was determined to stop the sale of job slots at the commission upon assuming office.

Dankaka revealed that before she took office, the commission was involved in the sale of job slots, which she likened to a market. She stated that upon becoming chairperson, she informed the commissioners that she would not engage in any corrupt practices that could tarnish her reputation and family’s name.

The chairperson also alleged that one of the commissioners tried to buy a piece of land with job slots as payment, but she intervened and put an end to such practices.

The Chairman of the investigative committee, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, directed Dankaka to submit her written response to the allegations and provide all necessary documents for the investigation by Friday. Additionally, he instructed her to appear with all 36 commissioners on Monday for further hearings.