Fraud: PCC Moves against jobs scam, employment racketeering in Benue

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Public Complaints Commission in Benue State has said that, the era of defrauding unsuspecting members of the public of their hard earned monies under the pretext of helping them to secure government employments or conventional jobs, as well as political appointments is over in the State.

The federal commissioner in charge of Benue State, James Oche stated this during a case conference held at the Public Complaints Commission office in Makurdi, said they have initiated a speedy process to address all such pressing concerns.

Oche made this known through the Head of Publicity PCC, Orhemba Akura Charles, expressed the commission’s readiness to clampdown on job racketeers and task members of the public who are victims of jobs scam to come forth with their complaints.

The statement said where there were torrential complaints against serving civil servants who took monies from members of the public to facilitate their recruitment with the paramilitary agencies under the Federal Ministry of Interior like customs, NSCDC, Nigeria Correctional Service, FRSC among others and admonished members of the public to desist forthwith from paying for jobs.

During the inaugural case conference, the federal Commissioner noted further that this initiative aims to expedite the resolution of complex complaints faced by the public.

He noted that the cases remain under attentive consideration, awaiting absent respondents’ appearance at the next scheduled dates, adding that the initial case conferences mark an important step towards enhancing the efficiency of the Public Complaints Commission in addressing public grievances.

The conference witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including the Honourable Commissioner and essential members of the investigation team: Justin-Chuwang N.I. (Director of Investigation), Kpaakpa Terkura, Onyilo Ene Lucy, and Orhemba Akura Charles (Deputy Directors of Investigation).

Additionally, Akoja Moses and Jeje Pretty served as Assistant Directors of Investigation. Legal representation was provided by Ogbu Augustine (Assistant Chief State Counsel).