President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked Michael Akabogu, managing director/chief executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). Akabog
President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked Michael Akabogu, managing director/chief executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
Akabogu was sacked for forging his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.
His sack was conveyed in an internal memo signed by the executive director of operations of the agency, Gabriel Iwelunmor.
The memo reads, “I am directed to inform you that Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, in the exercise of his powers under Section 8 of the NSITF Act has directed the removal from office of Dr. Michael Akabogu as the MD of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) with effect from Friday, February 3, 2023.
“Subsequently, the executive director, administration of NSITF, Barr. Maureen Allagoa, has been directed to take charge of the affairs of the Fund.
“Furthermore, this information should be communicated to the staff of your various departments/units, regions and branches,”
Recall that a whistleblower, in 2022, petitioned the police, alleging that the sacked NSITF boss was parading a fake NYSC Discharge Certificate with number: A030544.
The police subsequently invited Akabogu for questioning after the authority of NYSC denied issuing the fake discharge certificate.
Akabogu had claimed that he was mobilised for the compulsory one-year Service, vide NO. OG/ FUTO/ 91/23402 for the first batch from the October 4, 1991, to the October 3, 1992.
Meanwhile, the police, in an invitation letter issued on December 8, 2022 and directed to the minister of labour and employment, said that it was investigating a case of criminal complaint against Akabogu.
A police source, who is privy to the matter, noted that a discreet investigation was carried out upon the receipt of the petition against Akabogu.
He said that, “When the petition was submitted, a crack team was raised to investigate the matter and subsequently a letter was written to the NYSC to confirm the authenticity of the certificate.
“So he was invited for questioning on the strength of our findings.”
The source further noted that the NYSC certificate with number: A030544 allegedly paraded by the NSITF boss was not issued by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
In addition, NYSC, in a letter of response with reference number: NYSC/CCD/VER/10/S.1/VOL/07 and addressed to the assistant inspector-general of police, Divisional Police Headquarters, the Nigeria Police Force, Utako Division, FCT command, Abuja, said that it did not issue the certificate.
