Concerns over transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Works have deepened as Minister David Umahi and key ministry officials failed to appear before a House of Representatives probe investigating allegations of job racketeering and corruption.
The probe, initiated in response to claims that ministry positions were being sold for N2.5 million, has sparked public outrage and calls for immediate government intervention. Lawmakers had summoned Umahi and other officials to provide explanations regarding the alleged job-for-sale scheme, but their absence has raised further suspicions about the integrity of the ministry’s hiring practices.
Reports indicate that the House Committee on Public Petitions had scheduled a hearing to address the allegations, but ministry representatives failed to honor the invitation, prompting lawmakers to consider further actions to compel their attendance.
Civil society organizations and anti-corruption advocates have condemned the officials’ refusal to cooperate, urging President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take decisive action to restore public trust in government institutions.
“The refusal of Minister Umahi and his team to appear before the House probe is deeply troubling,” said a spokesperson for a leading anti-corruption watchdog. “This matter must not be swept under the rug. Nigerians deserve answers, and those responsible must be held accountable.”