Works Minister Umahi Risks Arrest as He Ignores Third House Summons Over ₦2.5 Million Job Racketeering Scandal

The Nigerian Minister of Works, David Umahi, along with senior ministry officials, is under growing pressure from the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, following his third failure to honour a summons related to a ₦2.5 million job racketeering scandal. Lawmakers are now threatening to issue a bench warrant for his arrest if he does not appear at the rescheduled hearing on July 22, 2025.

The House Committee is probing allegations brought forward by a whistleblower, Martins Oghenerhoro Richard Atijegbe, an official from the ministry’s Human Resource Management Department. Atijegbe accused senior officials of illegally selling federal job slots, forging appointment letters, and fast-tracking recruits into the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS)—all in violation of due process.

Despite three separate invitations, including one dated June 18, 2025, the Minister, the Permanent Secretary, and the Director of Human Resources have refused to appear, raising suspicions of an attempted cover-up.

A source from the National Assembly disclosed that Umahi’s repeated absence is viewed as a “blatant attempt to undermine the authority of the parliament.” The source added that the committee suspects the current minister may be protecting corrupt officials tied to the previous administration.

The committee’s latest summons, dated June 19, reminded the officials of their obligation under Sections 88 and 89(c) of the Constitution and warned that the petition may be heard and concluded in their absence. The ministry has been instructed to submit both a soft and 10 hard copies of its official response.

“Their attitude shows they are hiding something. Governance is a continuous process,” the source said.

“The fourth summons has now been issued. They refused to honour the last three… If they fail again, the chairman will sign a bench warrant,” they added.

When contacted, Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser to the Minister on Media, dismissed the allegations, blaming a previous administration:

“That staff cannot drag the ministry over his self-inflicted imbroglio with the previous administration.”

The unfolding scandal underscores a growing crisis within the Ministry of Works and raises serious questions about corruption and accountability in public service recruitment.

As pressure mounts, all eyes will be on the July 22 hearing to see whether Parliament will move to enforce its authority—and whether the accused officials will finally be compelled to answer.