Isa Pantami, a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, is reportedly still exerting influence over the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and its Executive Vice-Chairman, Prof Umar Danbatta. It has been revealed that Pantami ensured his son was secretly employed by the NCC and stationed at an office next to his residence. There have been allegations of shady records and favoritism between Pantami and Danbatta, leading to secret recruitments and promotions.
Previous reports highlighted a promotion scandal at the NCC, implicating Danbatta and Pantami. It was alleged that they engaged in secret recruitments to gain favors from influential politicians and retain Pantami’s position. The latest development reveals that Pantami’s son has now resumed his position at the NCC, with Pantami allegedly influencing Danbatta’s decisions even after leaving the ministerial position.
Sources indicate that Pantami instructed Danbatta to keep his son at the NCC office near his own residence, allowing the son to resume work at his convenience. Pantami’s continued influence over Danbatta is attributed to undisclosed secrets between them. Furthermore, it has been previously reported that Danbatta was involved in bribing Seyi Tinubu, the son of the president, and awarding contracts to him and other influential figures.
In another instance, it was revealed that Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, awarded Value-Added Service contracts to himself, Bola Tinubu, Umar Danbatta, and others during his tenure as the Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management) of the NCC. These contracts were awarded to individuals with close ties to political figures, and investigations suggested that they generated substantial revenue while leaving content providers with minimal returns.
Overall, these revelations paint a picture of alleged improprieties, favoritism, and undue influence within the NCC, involving prominent individuals and their associates.
