ICPC Reacts to Reports Of Arresting Ex-Minister, Ngige Over Fraud Allegations

 

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has clarified reports that it arrested former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige for fraud.

 

ICPC stated that it didn't arrest Ngige, but rather invited him for questioning on Wednesday.

 

In a phone interview with an AIT correspondent on Thursday, ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare clarified that Ngige was merely invited for questioning regarding certain activities during his time as minister. 

 

Bakare confirmed that after the interrogation, Ngige was allowed to leave but was instructed to return on a specified date for further questioning.

 

He emphasized that Ngige was never arrested and urged the public to disregard false reports suggesting otherwise.

 

Bakare also encouraged journalists to thoroughly verify their information before publishing, to avoid unnecessary misinformation and tension.

 

Naija News earlier reported that the ex-minister reportedly spent about five hours on Wednesday with ICPC detectives answering probing questions about certain contracts awarded under the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) during his time in office.

 

Ngige’s questioning comes after earlier ICPC investigations into the NSITF.

 

The agency had already invited top officials from NSITF over the payment of ₦47 million in gratuity to former NSITF Managing Director, Mrs. Maureen Allagoa, while she was still serving in office.

 

Furthermore, it was revealed that Simon Lalong, Ngige’s successor in the Ministry of Labour, had set up a committee to investigate allegations of irregularities involving contracts worth ₦1.8 billion within NSITF.