The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission grilled former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, regarding contract irregularities and job racketeering at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund during his tenure.
A former Anambra State governor, Ngige as minister of labour and employment under President Mohammadu Buhari, was the supervising minister of the NSITF.
Ngige was also investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged misappropriation and embezzlement as governor of Anambra State.
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.
Sources who were familiar with the matter said, “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.
He 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.”
