A UK-based Nigerian physician Richard Akinrolabu has been sentenced to a few years’ imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Courtroom after defrauding the NHS of over £268,000 by working shifts whereas on sick go away.
Akinrolabu had beforehand pleaded responsible to all 4 counts of Fraud by False Illustration on the identical court docket on 3 September 2025.
Akinrolabu was employed as a belief grade specialist registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology on the Princess Royal College Hospital (PRUH) in London, a part of King’s School Hospitals (KCH) NHS Basis Belief.
A belief grade specialist registrar is a kind of resident physician, previously generally known as a junior physician.
Between October 2018 and December 2021, Akinrolabu carried out on-call and evening shifts at three further NHS trusts, regardless of informing his major employer that he was unfit to work. He carried out these shifts whereas on sick go away or decreased duties from King’s School Hospital.
In consequence, KCH continued to pay him his full wage and needed to make use of locums to cowl the shifts he secretly labored elsewhere.
In November 2021, KCH obtained data that Akinrolabu had been working evening shifts at Basildon Hospital. Subsequent investigations by the belief’s native counter fraud staff revealed that he had additionally labored at Princess Alexandra Hospital, East Kent Hospitals College Basis Belief, and Mid-South Essex NHS Basis Belief, all whereas on decreased duties from KCH.
Proof obtained confirmed that he had neither sought nor obtained permission to tackle secondary employment. Timesheet and payroll information from the opposite trusts confirmed that almost all of shifts have been at evening and on-call, regardless of his claims of being unfit to carry out these duties.
Throughout a June 2022 interview below warning, Akinrolabu gave a “no remark” response. Following additional investigation by the NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA), he was subsequently charged with 4 counts of Fraud by False Illustration.
In sentencing, His Honour Choose David Miller said: “You lied to occupational well being, your colleagues and your employer. The general public doesn’t anticipate docs to lie for private achieve.”
Ben Harrison, Head of Operations on the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, stated: “This case demonstrates a transparent and deliberate abuse of belief by an NHS skilled who knowingly breached the situations of his employment for private achieve. By working further on-call and evening shifts, regardless of being unfit to take action, Akinrolabu defrauded the NHS of considerable funds that ought to have supported affected person care. The NHS Counter Fraud Authority will proceed to make sure that those that search to use the well being service for their very own profit are recognized and delivered to justice.”
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