PCC Received 300 Complaints In 3 months in Anambra – Federal Commissioner

By Praise Chinecherem

Over 300 cases were recorded between January and March, 2025 in Anambra State, Public Complaints Commission, (PCC) has revealed.

Federal Commissioner in charge of the state, Emmanuel Muoka, made the revelation while hosting members of the Civil Society/Media Accountability and Anticorruption Initiative, (CMAAI) in his office in Awka.

He said the commission targeted at increasing awareness rate about its existence and operations in the area to 40 percent by the end of 2025, 70 percent by 2026 and between 90 and 95 percent by 2027.

“We are deliberate about this and we are strategizing to achieve it. We are increasing our partnership with federal and state establishments as well as NGOs and we are ready to work with you.

“When you get cases, refer them to us and we will do justice. Any case that is not within our jurisdiction, we refer them to appropriate agencies and follow up to make sure that justice is done.

Muoka said the commission remains an impartial mediator between the complainants and the defendants.

“When complaints are brought, our team of experienced investigation officers and lawyers swing into action and investigate and adjudicate fairly. Cases do not automatically go in favour of complainants.

“We look at the merit of every matter because justice must always be served. Some people come here thinking that immediately they complain, things will go in their favor. It’s not so”

The Federal Commissioner said Nigerians should be encouraged by the fact that they can lay their complaints and get justice at no cost to them.

“The only cost is just the transport fare. You leave every other thing for us and we will follow it through.

“However, any case that is not within purview is referred to appropriate government institutions for investigation.

“We appeal to people to take advantage of this commission instead of allowing things to go messy and they take laws into their hands. Come here and we’ll follow your case up,” he assured.

Earlier, State Director, Charles Ekwunife, said the commission which was established on 16th October, 1975 by Decree No. 31 and opened its Anambra office in 1993, after its creation, has successfully resolved thousands of cases brought before it.

He commended the current Federal Commissioner for his achievements since he assumed duty in October 2024.

“Since then, he swung into action reaching out to critical stakeholders including the police, DSS, the Correctional service, immigration, and other federal and state agencies. You might have heard some jingles about the commission. It is part of his efforts to increase awareness about the commission.

“All complaints that come here are speedily resolved. More than 50% of those cases we have had this year have been satisfactorily resolved. The honorable commissioner ensures that we are not found wanting in our responsibilities.

According to the Director, the commission is a product of Decree No.31 of 1975, Section 315(5)(b) of the 1999 constitution as well as CAP P37 laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004, established to promote social justice.

“We have Area Officers in various Local Governments as we presently have 9 Area Offices in the state. We were recently granted a space by the Chairman of Anaocha Local Government. We also have an annex office at the Federal Secretariat Awka Anambra State”.

The Coordinator of CMAAI, Ugochi Freeman, had earlier told the Ombudsman that the visit was to familiarize with the commission and to explore possible areas of partnership between it and the coalition.

“Our mandate is to complement government efforts in fighting corruption especially in public places and we deem it fit to reach out to you because by your mandate, you are an anti-corruption agency of government”.

Other members of CMAAI stressed the need for the commission to increase its visibility especially on social media.