Martins Oghenerhoro Richard Atijegbe, a staff member of the Federal Ministry of Works, has petitioned the National Assembly after allegedly uncovering a job racketeering scheme within the Ministry. According to Atijegbe, senior officials were involved in the sale of fake employment letters to job seekers for up to N2.5 million and fraudulently enrolling them into the government’s Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
The whistleblower, who said he discovered the malpractice during the course of his official duties, claims he is now facing victimization and threats of dismissal for exposing the alleged corruption. In response, he submitted a detailed petition—No. 626 of 2025—through his lawyer, Liberty Semper Fidelis, accusing the Ministry of fraud, abuse of power, conspiracy, and threats to his life and job.
The House Committee on Public Petitions has scheduled a public hearing on the matter for Tuesday, May 6, 2025, with a summons issued to the petitioner and legal representative.
Reacting to the allegations, Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, spokesperson for Minister of Works David Umahi, dismissed the claims as "baseless" and challenged the accuser to present evidence. She defended the Ministry’s integrity under Umahi’s leadership and decried attempts to malign its reputation.
Efforts to reach the Ministry’s Directors of Legal and Human Resources, Sonny J. Inyang and Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi, for comment were unsuccessful.
