Some officials of the National Social investment programme (NSIP) in Adogo headquarter of Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State have been allegedly accused of extorting NPower applicants in the name of physical verification.
According to an investigative report by Wadata Media in collaboration with Mac Arthur foundation, which was aired on a private radio station in Kogi state, on Thursday revealed that some NSIP officials have been collecting N1000 each from over 500 applicants saying” it was money for attestation which will determine the compulsory physical verification exercise for all the NPOWER applicant.
It was gathered that the purported attestation letter is allegedly signed and stamped by the Desk officer of NSIP in Ajaokuta Local Government Shaibu Ovosi Yakubu.
The under cover journalist in the report also pose as an NPower applicant, in which the officials at Adogo secretariat was heard in an audio clip negotiating N1000, for attestation letter.
It was gathered that the purported attestation letter was allegedly signed and stamped by the Desk officer of NSIP in Ajaokuta Local Government Shaibu Ovosi Yakubu.
The undercover journalist who also posed as an NPower applicant provided an audio exhibit in which the officials at Adogo secretariat were heard negotiating N1000 for the attestation letter.
The report had alleged a similar corrupt act at the same secretariat during the NPOWER batch A and B exercise.
Some applicants in the report said” they collected N1000 from us all in the name of attestation for our NPOWER physical verification. We called some of our people in other Local Government and state, they told us that it is free. Why is this place different? We are very sure that the money is going to their private pocket and not the government because we were told it is free. We have no choice but to pay because without crossing this bridge, we can’t participate in this NPOWER exercise”.
In a reaction, the Kogi State Focal Person, Social investment Program, Mr Abdulkareem Onyekehi, said only six local government areas out of the 21 local government areas in Kogi State have commenced the physical verification for Batch C Npower.
He said Ajaokuta was not part of the local governments that have commenced physical verification.
Nigerian govt clears backlog payment of Npower batch A, B beneficiaries
Onyekehi explained that the purported physical verification exercise carried out in Adogo under Ajaokuta local government is fraudulent and should be disregarded by the general public.
He maintained that no applicant is expected to pay money to any individual in the name of physical verification for Npower.
His words “It is totally wrong. It is a clear violation of what the NPOWER stands for. Whoever that collects money from applicants is not working under the guideline of NPOWER program.
The Abuja Office didn’t instruct anybody to collect money from applicants. It is free of charge. I repeat again, physical verification is free.
“No levy is attached. As a matter of fact, Ajaokuta Local Government Area is not ready to commence physical verification for now. Only six LGA’s after my communication with the Kogi State NYSC director is ready for NPOWER physical verification. They are Lokoja LGA, Ibaji, Igalamela, Kogi LGA, and one other Local Government Area.
“These are the few LGA’S that are ready for physical verification. The reason why other LGA’S has not commenced is that the Batch 2 corp members are still in camp with their officials. When they leave the camp by 21st September 2021, according to my discussion with their state director, they will commence physical verification. For now, that is where we are. There is no physical verification in Adogo, under Ajaokuta Local Government, talk more of collecting charges. It is free”
The State Focal person, however, vowed to carry out an investigation into the allegation assuring that whoever is found wanting will face the full wrath of the law.
Meanwhile, a former Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA) Barrister William Aliwo while speaking on the alleged corrupt act called on the appropriate authority to ensure that those behind this shameful act are brought to book.
Mr Okoro Ulu, the Kogi State Commissioner, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences, (ICPC) told our correspondent explained that they are yet to receive any petition on the matter.