CSO calls for immediate removal of lawmaker over alleged intimidation, extortion of funds

Mariam Abeeb

Concerned civil society organisations have called for the immediate removal of Hon. Oboku Oforji, Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Examinations, over allegations of intimidation and extortion of funds from Nigeria’s examination bodies.

The organisations made the demand while jointly addressing the press in Abuja.

Speaking on behalf of the groups, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob, Convener of the Social Transparency and Youth Leadership Advancement Initiative, said their attention had been drawn to what they described as corrupt activities by Hon. Oforji, which they claim undermine the progress made by examination bodies in recent years.

They warned that such acts of intimidation and continuous extortion are unacceptable to both the civil society community and the Nigerian public.

Other representatives included Comrade Friday James of the African Poverty Alleviation Initiative; Comrade Tabuko Kennedy of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups; Comrade Yomi Davis of the Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative; Comrade Felix Nnalue Attah, President of the Humanitarian, Welfare and Social Development Initiative; and Hajia Memuna Usman of the Advocacy for Women Empowerment in Nigeria.

According to the groups, Hon. Oforji allegedly used his position to intimidate the heads of examination bodies such as JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB, demanding funds purportedly for collective committee use, while allegedly diverting some for personal benefit.

They further accused him of irregularities in the engagement of consultants, whom he reportedly hires and dismisses at will, and of travelling to the United Kingdom on committee funds without informing or including other committee members in official oversight duties.

The groups also raised questions about N62,700,000 reportedly paid into the committee account, as well as the partial refund of N43,000,000, which civil society insists requires further investigation to ensure transparency in public spending.

“He is alleged to have written letters to the CBN and the AGF demanding statements of account from examination bodies, which he uses as a tool for blackmailing CEOs who do not succumb to his demands. It is also observed that, due to his totalitarian nature, there is no coherence in his committee, as members have not been carried along.

“We call on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, to remove Hon. Oboku Oforji as Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Examinations and refer him for a thorough investigation by the House Committee on Ethics as a matter of urgent national importance.

“Failure to remove him and subject him to proper investigation will lead to a national protest at the National Assembly to demand a comprehensive inquiry into his activities in the House.”

The groups also alleged that Hon. Oforji requested statements of account from the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Attorney-General of the Federation concerning examination bodies, reportedly using the information to pressure CEOs who refused to comply with his demands.

“For the purpose of achieving an independent and successful examination system in Nigeria, we demand that the leadership of the House appoint a member with integrity and an understanding of examinations to chair this important committee responsible for assessing Nigerian children.

“To maintain the integrity of legislation in accordance with world best practices, Hon. Oboku Oforji should be thoroughly investigated. We also call on all relevant anti-corruption agencies to carry out due diligence on Hon. Oboku Oforji to serve as a deterrent to others.

“While we commend our examination bodies for the good work they are doing in the face of limited funds, our examination bodies remain the tool for measuring the knowledge acquisition and assimilation of our students. Thus, they must be devoid of any form of interference from individuals or groups,” they added.