FCC Chairman Moheeba Dankaka Faces EFCC Interrogation Over Alleged Fraud

• The EFCC invited the FCC chairman to its headquarters in Abuja to answer questions related to an investigation.

• Dankaka was accused of presenting false information and certificate forgery.

• The police earlier questioned her over the allegations.

Eko Hot Blog reports that Moheeba Farida Dankaka, the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), has undergone rigorous interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.

The investigation revolves around an alleged certificate scandal, a matter initially brought to light by SaharaReporters.

At the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja, Dankaka reportedly provided detailed responses to inquiries from EFCC operatives who are delving into allegations of forgery and the purported presentation of false information against the FCC Chairman.

This scrutiny is based on a comprehensive review of various documents submitted for examination.

An official from the EFCC confirmed the ongoing interrogation, stating that, “Moheeba is currently at EFCC headquarters undergoing interrogation,” marking a significant development in the investigation.

Notably, last Friday, Dankaka also underwent a thorough cross-examination by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in connection to the same alleged certificate scandal. The session, held at the Force headquarters in Abuja, spanned over five hours.

The roots of this controversy trace back to a petition filed in May 2023 by the civil society organization Youth and Leadership Initiatives.

The petition, addressed to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Garki, Abuja, alleges that Dankaka presented false information to secure the chairmanship of the commission.

Youth and Leadership Initiatives, emphasizing its focus on leadership and public accountability in Nigeria, highlighted the noticeable falsification of certificates, identity falsification, and the presentation of false information on oath against Dankaka.

These allegations played a role in her appointment being made and confirmed by the President and the Senate.

The subsequent response from the police, evident in a letter dated January 8, 2024, signed by DCP Tahir Usman, Deputy Commissioner of Police, invited Dankaka for questioning, a session that extended for over five hours.

A senior police officer at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, familiar with the forgery case, noted that the FCC chairman was extensively quizzed at the police office on Thursday from 12 noon until after 5 pm. She has been instructed to report back on January 17, 2024, with the original copies of all her certificates.

A letter from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, adds a new layer to this unfolding narrative. Addressed to the Commissioner of Police (PSFU), Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja, the letter, signed by Umaru Danjuma Abdulahi, University Verification Officer for the Registrar, explicitly states that the available records at the university indicate that the photocopy of the certificate attached to the police’s letter did not emanate from the university.

As the investigation unfolds, it introduces a complex mix of legal, ethical, and professional considerations, shaping an evolving narrative that captures the attention of both the public and those closely following the developments within the FCC.

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