High Corruption Risk: NSITF Staff Demand Probe by ICPC, EFCC

Some staff of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund NSITF have demanded an immediate probe of the agency by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission ICPC as well as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.

They predicated their demand on the recent report released by the anti-graft agency which designated 52 Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs including the NSITF as “High Corruption Risk HCR”.

A breakdown of the report shows that 52 agencies scored zero in the integrity and ethics ranking, which means they did not respond to enquiries on them.

The ICPC consequently marked them as “High Corruption Risk HCR” and were “flagged for the attention of the public and for further inquiries and actions”.

The concerned staff have consequently requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC and the ICPC to beam their searchlights on the agency.

The staff, who spoke to some Journalists on the condition of anonymity for fear of being victimized by their superiors also decried the absence of a properly constituted board for the agency, since the expiration of the last board few years ago.

In one disturbing case, it was learnt that correspondences meant for the Managing Director of the Agency, Dr Michael Akabuogu were allegedly intercepted by some top staff of NSITF and executed for payment to be made to contractors.

Reacting to the reported resignation of the Dr Akabuogu, one of the concerned staff dismissed it as a case of corruption fighting back.

“What is happening today is that these looters who present themselves as contractors and their collaborators inside the NSITF are bitter that Akabogu stood in their way. So, they are desperate to ease him out by all means including the publication of falsehood.

“We can authoritatively tell you that the MD is a meticulous person, who is detailed in his job”, the concerned NSITF said.

However, when contacted, the General Manager/Head Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Ijeoma Oji-Okoronkwo said she was on leave and would not be able to comment appropriately on the issue.

“I am not aware of any corruption. l am on leave and l can only comment on what l know. I don’t know anything about corruption and ICPC report”, she stated

The ICPC had noted in the report which was released on Monday that the refusal of some MDAs to participate and release required documents may be an attempt to cover up fraud and misconduct.

ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasonoye had said; “The reluctance and supposed lethargy may not be unrelated to attempts by such MDAs to cover up fraud, malfeasance and other administrative felonies by the leadership and management.

“Failure of these MDAs to respond to simple demands and requests by regulatory agencies for reviews or tools to improve their operational practices and systems denotes cogently the impunity cloud which pervades some segments of our polity and governance”.