ICPC Interrogates Ngige Over Alleged Job Racketeering, Award Of Contracts

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has questioned the former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, over the award of contracts and jobs racketeering at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

ICPC spokesman, Demola Bakare, confirmed that Ngige was at the Commission’s headquarters to provide details of an ongoing investigation.

However, he did not give further details of the allegation, though he added that the ex-minister may be invited again until the investigation is concluded.

Bakare said the former Anambra State governor was not detained when he reported to the commission on Wednesday.

ICPC had earlier invited some top officials of the NSITF to question them about the alleged payment of an ₦47 million gratuity to the immediate past Managing Director of the agency, Maureen Allagoa when she was still in active service.

At the same time, Ngige’s successor, Senator Simon Lalong, had set up a special investigative committee to probe the alleged irregularities in different contract awards up to ₦1.8 billion in the agency.

The ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have since waded into the matter, leading to the invitation of Ngige.