ICPC grills ex-Buhari’s minister over alleged contract, job racketeering

For alleged involvement in contract irregularities and job racketeering at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund during his tenure, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has grilled former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.

It should be recalled that the ICPC had previously summoned several top officials of the NSITF for questioning regarding an N47m gratuity paid to the immediate past Managing Director, Mrs Maureen Allagoa, while she was still in service.

,,,___However, it was gathered that the former minister, spent over five hours with ICPC investigators on Wednesday, responding to probing questions about the awarding of certain contracts.

According to sources who were familiar with the matter, “The former minister was invited and he showed up and was released on Wednesday night. He should have been around but,,,,,,he said he was out of the country. He was interrogated on many matters bordering on the award of contracts and job racketeering, among others under him. He was also grilled on the e-NSITF, which he got approval from FEC.”

______When contacted, the spokesman for the ICPC, Demola Bakare, confirmed Ngige’s invitation, said the former Minister was released after he was interrogated.

…….Bakare said, “He was invited and interrogated on some issues and was released to go.”(Punch)