Adamawa CAN seeks EFCC, ICPC probe of pilgrims commission

The Adamawa State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Dami Mamza has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to investigate the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission over alleged massive irregularities.

Addressing a press conference in Yola, the CAN boss expressed dismay over alleged high-level corruption in the commission under the secretary, Rev. Yakubu Pam.

The clergy said he was troubled by conscience about all corrupt practices in the Commission that could ruin it reason for him to address press for record purpose.

The religion body leadership are now trading words centre on corruption concerning pilgrims to holy land of Jerusalem.

At this press conference in Yola is the CAN state chairman who accused leadership of Christian Pilgrims body of corruption.

He said that he has no option other than to spill the beans as his conscience will not allow him to keep quiet and watch the ruination of the commission.

He maintained that tt was wrong for the federal government to consider someone with character deficit for such important organ, adding that the misconduct of Pam is causing the commission a sublime disrepute.

Bishop Mamza accused Pam of sabotaging plans by Adamawa State pilgrims commission to organise a smooth pilgrimage for selfish reasons, noting that after taking over the operations, Pam messed things up.

Mamza noted that the vibes and ripples from all the states is the same as they complain of shortchange by the Pam-led commission.

In a swift reaction, the commission however denied the corrupt charge levelled by Bishop Dami Manza.

It made its position known in a statement by its Deputy Director/Head of Media and public relations, Celestine Toruka.

The statement urged Mamza to channel his grievances to the Adamawa State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board that handles all aspects of the Rome pilgrimage except visas.

NCPC insisted that the board had no such powers to airlift intending pilgrims to Rome because it is only the Commission’s mandate as clearly stated in the Act 20067 that established it.

He said the Act merely charged it to coordinate and superintend all Christian pilgrimage activities by supervising the movement of Christians to the Holy cites around the world.

According to the statement: “This was put to rest following the intervention of the Governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency Ahmadu Fintiri and the duo of Secretary to the State Government and the Chief of Staff who pleaded that NCPC should help the board to procure visas for the intending state pilgrims.

“This supposes that all ground handling issues and flight arrangements for the pilgrims had been concluded before recourse to NCPC.

“I want to reiterate that NCPC only intervene because of the need to properly carry out extreme vetting on the intending pilgrims for the purpose of securing visas,” the document stated.

Deputy Director/Head of Media and public relations, Celestine Toruka said that the Commission was never part of any logistics arrangements for Adamawa pilgrims.

He said It is therefore surprising that the respected Catholic Bishop of Yola Dioceses, could accuse the Commission of gross misconduct and corruption even though he knows that the Commission was only called to save the state’s Rome pilgrimage trip from collapse.

He urged Mamza to channel his grievances to the State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board who handles all aspects of the Rome pilgrimage except visas.

According to him, it’s strange that the Chairman of the State CAN is the one talking about pilgrimage exercise, the Commission does not deal with CAN States Chapters but their Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards. “This is an aberration except for ulterior motives,” he said.

He noted that the Adamawa’s Rome Pilgrimage took place between 23rd-28th May, 2022 with formal report submitted to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who supervises the body.

He wondered how a pilgrimage that took place over five months ago now became issue of criticisms.

He advised Chairman of CAN Adamawa State not to usurp the functions of the state Pilgrims Welfare Board and allow them to speak for themselves as the facts and figures of that pilgrimage are intact.

According to the statement, one would have expected that the Catholic Bishop channeled his concerns to the appropriate authorities rather than granting press conference.

The fact remains that what the Commission did in the Adamawa-Rome trip was a rescue intervention Mission.