Taraba PCC Commissioner Under Fire Over Alleged Corruption, Nepotism

•• ICPC Probes Petition Against Him

A petition has been submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) alleging abuse of office, nepotism, and corrupt practices against Hon. Nuhu Sabo, Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) in Taraba State.

The petitioner, Kwensa Alaburah Kaigama accused the commissioner of frustrating the resolution of a case he filed on May 8, 2024, bordering on alleged irregularities in the appointment of a Director of Finance for Takum Local Government Area.

According to the petition, Kaigama had challenged the appointment of Dwaseh Jesse, alleging that due process was not followed and that the selection was influenced by nepotism, as the appointee is said to be a kinsman of the commissioner. He further claimed that the Local Government Service Commission failed to address his initial complaint, prompting him to seek redress from the PCC, which is empowered by law to investigate administrative injustices.

The petitioner stated that after about a year of investigation, the matter had been concluded by the commission’s investigative unit, with findings reportedly ready for transmission. However, he alleged that the commissioner refused to endorse or release the report, instead keeping the file “under lock and key” since April 2025 without justification.

He claimed that inquiries made to the investigating officer confirmed that all necessary processes had been completed and that the delay was solely due to the commissioner’s inaction.

Providing further details, Kaigama recounted a meeting with the commissioner on May 26, 2025, during which he sought clarification on the status of his case. During the interaction, the commissioner allegedly raised concerns about funding constraints affecting the commission’s operations.

The petitioner alleged that the commissioner suggested financial assistance could help facilitate administrative processes, including typing of reports. Kaigama claimed he was given a bank account number and subsequently paid N50,000 into the account, describing the action as a deliberate step to expose what he termed “corrupt tendencies.”

He also raised concerns over what he described as attempts to downplay the authority of the PCC, alleging that the commissioner told him the commission lacked the power to compel compliance from other agencies, a position the petitioner described as misleading and contrary to the commission’s mandate.

On the substantive issue, Kaigama maintained that the appointment he challenged was flawed, alleging that the selected candidate lacked the required professional qualifications, including membership of recognized accounting bodies such as the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) or the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). He further alleged that the recruitment process was manipulated, with key stakeholders, including the Executive Chairman of Takum Local Government Council, reportedly unaware of the selection procedures.

The petitioner also cited an alleged admission of wrongdoing by a former Director of Administration in the council, whom he accused of orchestrating the disputed appointment in collaboration with officials of the Local Government Service Commission.

He argued that the commissioner’s refusal to act on the report violates Public Service Rules, particularly provisions relating to misconduct, abuse of power, and actions prejudicial to due process and administrative discipline.

Kaigama urged the ICPC to investigate the matter thoroughly, ensure accountability, and facilitate the release and implementation of the commission’s findings.

As of the time of filing this report, Hon. Nuhu Sabo had not responded to the allegations. Efforts to obtain official comments from the Taraba State office of the Public Complaints Commission were also unsuccessful.