In a notable legal proceeding, Richard Akinrolabu, a Nigerian doctor residing in the United Kingdom, has been sentenced to three years in prison after admitting to defrauding the National Health Service (NHS) of over £268,000. This case has prompted a broader discussion regarding trust and integrity within the healthcare system.

Akinrolabu, 61, from Orpington, Kent, received his sentence at Woolwich Crown Court after pleading guilty to four counts of Fraud by False Representation. His fraudulent activities extended over a period from October 2018 to December 2021, during which he reportedly exploited his position within the NHS.

The National Health Service Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) reported that Akinrolabu qualified as a doctor in Nigeria in 2003 and was employed as a trust grade specialist registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) in London, part of King’s College Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. A trust grade specialist registrar is a designation for a resident doctor, previously known as a junior doctor.

During his tenure, Akinrolabu allegedly misled his employer by claiming unfitness to work additional shifts. Despite this claim, he undertook on-call and night shifts at three other NHS trusts while reportedly on sick leave or reduced duties at KCH. This situation not only allowed him to retain his full salary but also compelled the trust to employ locum doctors to cover his shifts, thereby incurring significant financial costs for the NHS.

The fraudulent behavior was uncovered in November 2021 when King’s College Hospitals received intelligence indicating that Akinrolabu had been working night shifts at Basildon Hospital. An investigation by the trust’s local counter fraud team corroborated that he had indeed worked multiple on-call shifts there, leading to a more extensive examination of his activities.

Further investigations revealed that he also took on roles at Princess Alexandra Hospital, East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust, and Mid-South Essex NHS Foundation Trust while maintaining the pretense of being unfit for work. Evidence from KCH indicated that he did not seek or obtain permission for secondary employment, thus contravening NHS employment policies.

Records of timesheets and payroll from the other trusts showed that most of the shifts he completed occurred during the night and on-call periods, directly opposing his claims of unfitness for such responsibilities. In June 2022, Akinrolabu was interviewed under caution by the local counter fraud team; he chose to remain silent during this inquiry.

Following a comprehensive investigation undertaken by the NHSCFA, Akinrolabu was charged with four counts of Fraud by False Representation. Upon announcing the sentence, His Honour Judge David Miller remarked on the deception involved, stating, “You lied to occupational health, your colleagues, and your employer.”

Ben Harrison, Head of Operations at the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, commented on the case, characterizing it as a clear breach of trust by an NHS professional who pursued personal gain at the expense of the service. He underscored the significance of the funds involved, which were intended to support patient care.

Harrison reiterated the NHSCFA's commitment to identifying and prosecuting individuals who exploit the healthcare system for personal benefit, thereby highlighting the imperative of maintaining integrity within the NHS.