FG probes allegation of fraud in Immigration Service

Category: News Published on Friday, 18 January 2013 17:33

The Federal Government of Nigeria has constituted a six-man committee to investigate allegation of fraud in the Nigeria Immigration Service.

The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, inaugurated the committee at the Ministry's conference hall in a Abuja on Thursday night.

The Committee was given the major assignment of verifying the allegation of secret recruitment/appointments for sale and make appropriate recommendation.

The committee is set up on the heel of continue accusation from the public of fraud in employment process as well as secret recruitment in the Service.

The Comptroller General of the Immigration Service when the alleged secret recruitment took place, Rose Uzorma was sacked within the week.

Though, she denied the allegations, evidence pointed to the fact that there was actually an underground recruitment in the Service.

Complaints

In his speech, the Minister of Interior emphasised the importance of promotion to the general productivity of staff of the Ministry but expressed dismay over petitions that trail the last promotion exercise in the Immigration Service.

"After the last promotion of officers in the Immigration Service, I received some petitions and appeals from some officers of the service bordering on fraud, injustice and tribal sentiments in the conduct of the promotion exercise."

He noted that other serious allegations include Certificate forgery and non-adherence to the principle of seniority in determining officers eligible for promotion.

While maintaining that those were grave allegations that couldn't be ignored, the Minister gave the Committee a month from the day of inauguration to submit its findings.

Moro who said members of the committee were carefully selected, warned them to be unbiased in carrying out their responsibilities as their reputation was at stake.

Term of Reference

The Committee is charged to:

1. Verify the allegation of secret recruitment/appointments for sale

2. Investigate allegation of Superannuation, nepotism and adoption of primordial sentiments in the promotion of officers within the Service

3. Examine the promotion procedures/modalities in line with extant guidelines with a view to putting in place adequate checks and balances to ensure the sanctity and integrity of the exercise

4. Establish the number of officers promoted vis a vis the approved establishment for the promotion year, amongst others.

Committee members

The Committee is to be chaired by Director of Paramilitary, Mr. Keftin Amuga.

Other members of the Committee are;

Dr Attahiru Rufai Kawu- D/Chairman

Alh Kurfi Ibrahim- Member

Babandede Mohammed -Member

An unnamed representative of the State Security Service- Member

Mr. E.S.A Ojo- Secretary