NUC and VCs Reject Bribery Allegations Against Reps Committee

Prof. Chris Maiyaki, the acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), and Prof. Isiah Tanko, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, have firmly refuted allegations of bribery and extortion made against them by the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating job racketeering and mismanagement of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) in various government agencies.

In a joint statement made during their appearance before the committee in Abuja on Friday, they vehemently denied any involvement in the alleged bribery and extortion scheme as reported by an online news outlet.

Addressing the allegations raised by the media outlet, which claimed that the committee had received money from the NUC and Vice Chancellors in exchange for leniency in the investigation, the NUC official expressed deep disappointment in the baseless nature of the report.

He emphasized that the publication was without merit, and regardless of its content, he hoped it would not tarnish the collaborative relationship they share with the lawmakers, which they believe should be encouraged and upheld.

Maiyaki said the universities occupied a special place in the life of any nation, advising that the lawmakers and the universities should come together to create a game changer for the country.

On his part, Tanko, who represented Prof. Lilian Salami, the Chairman of the Committee of VCs, said they read the publication, but added that the VCs were not part of the allegation.

“”We read the disturbing publication and I can say that the VCs were not part of that and we did not provide any bribe to anybody,

“”We all dispersed from the committee investigative hearing as soon as we finished the last time we appeared before you,” said the representatives of the VCs.

Maiyaki stressed that: “Soliciting money for bribes is out of contest and not true, the reporter did not find out the fact. We have hope and confidence in this ad hoc committee.”

He said more than five programmes of University of Jos were in danger of being dis-accredited because of lack of manpower, adding “we were looking up to the committee to correct that”.

The Chairman of the Adhoc Committee, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi, however noted that the publication was a sponsored to divert the attention of the members from finding out the deep rooted evil that existed in public sectors.

“”It is not even our mandate to investigate the publication by Premium Times, but to investigate alleged racketeering in MDAs.

“”The investigating authorities like the ICPC and EFCC have been given the mandate to investigate those allegations and the account number,” he said.