Human Rights Group Calls on President Tinubu to Investigate Alleged N47 Million Fraud at NSITF

ABUJA/Nigeria: The Centre for the Vulnerable and the Underprivileged (CENTREP), a prominent human rights organization, has made a resounding call to President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, urging him to urgently establish a high-powered panel of inquiry into what it describes as a “monumental fraud” occurring at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

According to CENTREP, the current Managing Director of NSITF, Mrs. Maureen Allagoa, has allegedly approved and paid herself over N47 million as gratuity while still holding her office.

During a World Press Conference held on Monday, 1st of August, 2023, CENTREP’s National Chairman, Oghenejabor Ikimi, Esq., delivered a statement voicing the organization’s concerns.

In the statement, CENTREP emphasized the gravity of the situation and extended the call for an investigation to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

CENTREP pointed out that the alleged fraud revolves around a memo titled, “Re: Gratuity Computation for Mrs. Maureen Allagoa – (Aal/11272) for the period of service from September 2016 to February, 2023 as General Manager and Executive Director respectively.” In this memo, Mrs. Allagoa reportedly approved and paid herself gratuity for the period she served in both capacities, causing tension among the agency’s management and staff.

Furthermore, CENTREP disclosed that Mrs. Allagoa executed the payment through an internal memo with Reference Number: NSITF/AC/18&A/5/S.4/B117, dated July 3, 2023. This payment has raised eyebrows, especially as over 500 staff members who retired in the past 5 years are still awaiting their retirement benefits.

The human rights organization lamented that NSITF, which was established in 1961 as the National Provident Fund (NPF) to provide financial and insurance services to employees in Nigeria, has failed in recent times to fulfill its core mandate of providing a safety net for employees. CENTREP further expressed its disappointment with the agency’s history of corruption and fraudulent activities, tracing it back to the time of Dr. Michael Akabuogu, the immediate past Managing Director, and continuing under the leadership of the current MD, Mrs. Maureen Allagoa.

CENTREP highlighted some of the alleged irregularities, including Mrs. Allagoa’s alleged involvement in purchasing a house worth 180 million naira through contracts floated by her companies during her tenure as Executive Director of Administration.

The organization also accused Mrs. Allagoa and the former Minister of Labour and Productivity of re-employing retired civil servants in NSITF against the agency’s extant rules. Moreover, it raised concerns about the hiring of a retired procurement officer, Mr. Akin, as General Manager Procurement, claiming that he was re-engaged to facilitate unlawful activities at the agency.

In conclusion, CENTREP called on President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to act decisively by setting up a high-powered panel of inquiry to investigate the alleged fraud at NSITF. The organization expressed its hope that such action would rescue the agency from what it perceives as the “mindless grip” of the current management, which it accuses of engaging in fraudulent activities and looting the fund.