ICPC Interrogates Former Minister Chris Ngige Over Alleged Contracts and Job Racketeering
Abuja, Nigeria – The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has questioned former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, over his alleged involvement in questionable contracts and job racketeering during his tenure. The interrogation, which took place on Wednesday, lasted nearly five hours and focused on Ngige’s activities related to the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
Ngige, who served in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, is under scrutiny for his role in the approval of contracts and gratuity payments at the NSITF. One of the key issues in the probe is a N47 million gratuity paid to Mrs. Maureen Allagoa, the former Managing Director of NSITF, while she was still in office. The payment has raised concerns about the possible misuse of funds and irregularities in the NSITF’s financial operations.
Further complicating matters is a December 2022 report by News360 Nigeria, which implicated Ngige in the approval of a last-minute N20 billion contract for the digitalization and automation of NSITF activities. The contract, awarded to P2E Technologies, was allegedly rushed through without proper due process, leading to suspicions of potential financial misappropriation.
Sources within the NSITF have described the contract as an “emergency” agreement, prepared hurriedly by the Head of the Legal Department and expedited through the office of Madam Ijeoma Okoronkwo, the Board Secretariat Office. According to reports, the contract was signed by the contractor at the Board Secretary’s office and quickly forwarded to Ngige for his urgent consideration.
“This is one of too many fictitious contracts awarded that will not be executed within this short ministerial cabinet reshuffle,” said a source familiar with the matter. The source further warned that if NSITF accounts are not frozen soon, up to N20 billion could be lost due to these questionable contracts.
The ICPC’s investigation into these allegations is ongoing, and the commission has yet to release an official statement on the matter. The outcome of the probe could have significant implications for Ngige and others involved in the alleged irregularities at the NSITF.
