The management of the Federal University of Technology, Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTATH) has uncovered a criminal scheme involving the illegal sale of employment letters. The hospital administration strongly denied allegations of selective biometric capture under the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and vowed to take action against those involved in the racketeering.
In a statement issued by the head of the public relations unit, Tope Fayehun, the hospital clarified that no staff member received preferential treatment during the ongoing IPPIS biometric verification exercise. The statement emphasized that the only authorized capturing exercise is the one conducted by the IPPIS Directorate, which commenced on Monday.
Management Denies Selective IPPIS Capture
Fayehun described as malicious the allegations that Professor Olusegun Ojo, the Chief Medical Director, had conducted selective biometric captures to favor certain individuals. He stated, “These claims are patent lies designed to damage the reputation of the CMD and the institution. The CMD has not authorized, instructed, or participated in any selective biometric capturing activity before now and never will.”
The statement further noted that all biometric capturing under the federal IPPIS system at the hospital is carried out in line with federal guidelines and institutional procedures, under the supervision of authorized personnel.
Racketeering Scheme Exposed
Preliminary investigations revealed that certain individuals had been fraudulently engaged in racketeering by selling or promising appointment letters and job access within the hospital. Fayehun described these actions as criminal and assured that management would address them in due course.
“Contrary to the dubious speculations making the rounds, our preliminary enquiries indicate that some individuals had been fraudulently engaged in racketeering by ‘selling’ or promising appointment letters and access to jobs within the hospital. These unscrupulous actions are criminal in nature, and management would be looking to address them in due season,” the statement read.
Call for Calm and Cooperation
The hospital management urged staff and the public to remain calm and avoid rumormongering. It reiterated its commitment to transparency, fairness, and the welfare of all staff members. The statement also called for cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure the success of the IPPIS biometric capturing exercise.
“We ask for the cooperation of all staff and stakeholders in ensuring the success of the ongoing IPPIS Biometric Capturing Exercise so that we can obtain our ‘Approved Takeoff Establishment’ from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation as and when due and enable our forward movement into our future as federal workers,” the statement concluded.
