Police Summon NSTIF Boss Over Alleged NYSC Certificate Scandal

The Nigeria Police Force has summoned the Managing Director of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Dr Michael Akabogu over the alleged forgery of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge Certificate attached to his Curriculum Vitae., The Nation report.

In a petition to the Police by a whistleblower sighted by The Nation, the NSITF boss was accused of allegedly parading a fake NYSC Discharge Certificate with Number: A030544.

According to the petition, Akabogu, claimed he was mobilised for the compulsory one year Service, vide NO. OG/ FUTO/ 91/23402 for the first Batch from 4th of October 1991, to 3rd of October, 1992.

The invitation letter dated December 8, 2022 and copied Minister of Labour and Employment, the Police said it is investigating a case of the criminal complaint against the NSTIF Managing Director.
The letter reads: “The Nigeria Police Force, Utako Division FCT, Abuja is investigating a case of a criminal complaint in which your name featured prominently.

“In view of the above, it is requested that you should report to the above office on 12th December 2022, at approximately 11.00hours in furtherance to the above complaint.

“This is a fact-finding mission and your presence is important”.

However, a Police source who is privy to the matter confided in The Nation that a discreet investigation was carried out upon the receipt of the petition against Akabogu.

Further findings by The Nation showed that the NYSC Certificate with Number: A030544, allegedly paraded by the NSITF boss was not issued by the Corps.

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 it did not issue the Certificate.

The letter signed by the Acting Director Corps Certification, Ibrahim A.M, reads in part: “Your letter Re: Case of forgery involving a Corps member, Akabugu Michael C. with State Code No. OG/FUTO/91/23402

“Your letter Ref. No: CR:3000/FCT/UT/VOL.10/69 dated 3rd November, 2022 on the above subject refers, please.

“I wish to inform you that the Certificate of National Service belonging to Akabugu Michael C with Certificate number: A030544 forwarded for verification was not issued by the NYSC.

“However, you are requested to retrieve the original Certificate for onward submission to the NYSC”.

Confirming the Police invitation, the spokesperson of the FCT Command, Josephine Adeh, said the Commissioner of Police, Sunday Babaji ordered a discreet investigation over the complaint.

When contacted, NSITF Manager Corporate Affairs, Ijeoma Oji-Okoronkwo, said she only heard of the issue as a rumour.
“Actually, this is not the fund’s issue but I will still find out from the MD and give a proper response,” she said.

Efforts to reach the NSTIF boss for his reaction were abortive. He neither responded to calls nor answered text messages sent to him.