The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has interrogated former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, over allegations of contract fraud and job racketeering during his tenure. The questioning, which took place on Wednesday, centered around financial misconduct at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
Ngige’s invitation follows earlier investigations into the payment of a suspicious N47 million gratuity to the immediate past Managing Director of NSITF, Mrs Maureen Allagoa, while she was still in service. This has raised serious concerns over financial irregularities within the organization.
Sources revealed that Ngige spent over five hours answering questions from ICPC investigators regarding several controversial contracts and alleged job racketeering under his watch. He was also grilled about the approval and execution of the e-NSITF project, which was greenlit by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) during his time as minister.
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An insider familiar with the investigation said, “Ngige was questioned on numerous issues, including the award of certain contracts and the job racketeering scandals during his administration at the NSITF. He was cooperative and left after the interrogation.”
The ICPC’s spokesperson, Demola Bakare, confirmed the former minister’s interrogation, stating, “Yes, Chris Ngige was invited for questioning on various matters, and he was released after the session.”
While Ngige has yet to publicly address the allegations, his interrogation is part of a broader investigation into the alleged mismanagement of funds and irregular practices at NSITF.
