NYSC Certificate Saga: NSITF MD, Akabogu proceeds on leave, as group calls for his resignation

The embattled Managing Director of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Dr Michael Akabogu who was recently invited by the Police in connection to his alleged forgery of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge Certificate has gone on leave amidst rumour that he is hiding from the police.

This coming as a civil society group, ‘Future is Now, (FIN), weekend called on the Managing Director of NSITF, Dr Michael Akabogu, to take the path of honour and resign his appointment from the NSITF and save the Fund and Nation at large from further embarrassment following his indictment by the NYSC.

Dr Michael Akabogu, in a letter, addressed to ‘All Heads of Departments,’ dated 16th December 2022, with Ref. No: NSITF/AC/MD/5/S.1/1007, notified the department’s heads that he was proceeding on 15 days off duty and that in his absence, the Executive Director, Administration to act in his position.

According to the letter which was copied to the Executive Director, Administration, Executive Director, Finance, Investment and Estate; and Executive Director, Operations, it reads: I hereby notify you that I will be off duty for fifteen (15) days from Monday 19th December 2022.

“In my absence, the Executive Director, Administration will act in my capacity and oversee the affairs of the Fund.

“All Heads of Department are advised to accord her all-necessary assistance and cooperation.”

Recall that the media was awash recently following a petition to the Police by a whistleblower wherein the NSITF boss was accused of allegedly parading a fake NYSC Discharge Certificate with Number: A030544, the police invited Mr Akabogu for questioning after the authority of NYSC denied issuing the fake NYSC discharged certificate.

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 the 4th of October 1991 to the 3rd of October, 1992.

In the invitation letter dated December 8, 2022, and copied Minister of Labour and Employment, the Police said it is investigating a case of a 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.

“Given the above, please, you should report to the above office on 12th December 2022, at approximately 11.00 hours in furtherance to the above complaint.

Recall also that 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 Akabogu Michael C with Certificate number: A030544 forwarded for verification was not issued by the NYSC.

Meanwhile, FIN, while calling for Akabogu’s resignation in a press statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Adetunbi Olayemi and its Secretary, Comrade Ebikeme Perebutu threatened to lead a protest to occupy the Fund’s office if the Managing Director fails to resign.

According to the statement, “Managing Director of NSITF, Dr Michael Akabogu should do the honourable thing by resigning his position from the Fund, he should save the nation from further embarrassment.

“We are also calling on the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Dr. Chris Ngige to prevail on Dr Akabogu to resign and when he fails, he should be sacked.

“We are aware that Akabogu is his kinsman, we are however, appealing to him to put our nation’s interest above ethnic consideration, by sacking the MD.

“We don’t want to believe that Akabogu has suddenly become greater than the constitution and laws of the Land. The president must not be seen to be perverting the wheel of justice.

We are disturbed by the deafening silence since the current certificate scandal came to the open and his continued silence over the level of crime perpetuated by the MD NSITF
all the recent scandal and the allegations against him by groups and the Staff Union of the Fund.

“If the outgone Somefun-led executive management were removed on the basis of 4.1billion naira embezzlement which the entire Nigeria nation applauded the president and the Minister we wonder why the sudden silence on this very sensitive issue of certificate forgery.

“We know Dr Ngige to be a man of integrity, so it’s time he should speak up and address this all-important issue that has now become a national embarrassment.

“If Kemi Adeosun who then as a Minister could honourably resign from her office when she was found wanting in forgery, why should the MD NSITF, Dr Michael Akabogu become so powerful as to determine what rules must be applied in his case?

“President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR and the Honorable Minister of Labour and Employment must ensure our country laws are protected and resected otherwise, Nigerian and the Federal Government must apologize to Kemi Adeosun,” the statement added.