ICPC squeezes ex-Minister Chris Ngige over NSITF contracts, job racketeering

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has interrogated former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, regarding his involvement in alleged contracts and job racketeering during his tenure.

The probe centers around the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), where Ngige reportedly played a role in questionable contract approvals and gratuity payments.

Ngige, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, was questioned for nearly five hours on Wednesday.

This follows concerns raised about a N47 million gratuity paid to the former Managing Director of NSITF, Mrs. Maureen Allagoa, while she was still in office.

A December 2022 report by News360 Nigeria further implicated Ngige in the approval of a last-minute N20 billion contract for the NSITF.

Allegedly rushed through without due process, the contract with P2E Technologies involved the digitalization and automation of NSITF activities, raising red flags regarding the potential misuse of government funds.

“This is one of too many fictitious Contracts awarded that will not be executed within this short ministerial cabinet reshuffle. This is an Emergency Contract Agreement Awarded by the NSITFMB. It was hurriedly prepared by the Head of Legal Department and it was transferred to one Madam Ijeoma Okoronkwo, Board Secretariat Office Department on Thursday,” the source had revealed.

“The said contractor who was already seated at the Madam Board Secretary’s Office signed the Agreement. The Contract Agreement was immediately smuggled to Ngige on same Thursday by the Board Secretary of the NSITF for the minister’s urgent consideration. This is one of such Emergency contracts in the midst of many others,” another source had confirmed.

“If the NSITF Accounts are not immediately frozen between now and next week, minimum of N20billion will be lost. Minister Ngige has prepared this last minute contract of N20billion before he later decided to withdraw his presidential ambition.”

Earlier, Ngige said he had withdrawn from the 2023 presidential race and he hence remained in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet as a minister.