Nigerian Doctor Sentenced to Three Years in UK for NHS Fraud

A UK-based Nigerian doctor, Richard Akinrolabu, has been sentenced to three years in prison after defrauding the National Health Service (NHS) of over £268,000 by working shifts while on sick leave. Akinrolabu, who served as a trust-grade specialist registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology at Princess Royal University Hospital under King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, pleaded guilty to four counts of Fraud by False Representation.

The court heard that between October 2018 and December 2021, Akinrolabu carried out on-call and night shifts at three additional NHS trusts despite informing his primary employer that he was unfit for work. During this period, he continued to receive his full salary from King’s College Hospital while secretly working shifts elsewhere, forcing the trust to hire locums to cover his responsibilities.

Investigations later revealed that he had performed shifts at Basildon Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital, East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust, and Mid-South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, all without seeking or receiving permission from his main employer. Timesheets and payroll records confirmed that most of the additional shifts occurred at night and on-call, directly contradicting his claims of being medically unfit for such duties.

The fraud came to light when King’s College Hospital received information in November 2021 that Akinrolabu was working night shifts at Basildon Hospital. Subsequent investigations by the hospital’s counter fraud team, in collaboration with the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, confirmed the extent of the deception. During a formal interview under caution in June 2022, Akinrolabu declined to comment, and he was later charged with multiple counts of fraud.

During sentencing, His Honour Judge David Miller stated that Akinrolabu had lied to occupational health, colleagues, and his employer, noting that the public does not expect medical professionals to act for personal gain at the expense of patient care.

The NHS Counter Fraud Authority described the case as a deliberate abuse of trust, highlighting how Akinrolabu knowingly breached employment conditions for personal benefit. The authority reaffirmed its commitment to investigating and prosecuting individuals who exploit the NHS for financial gain.

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and oversight within the NHS, particularly concerning secondary employment and adherence to medical leave regulations. It also underscores the broader challenges faced by healthcare systems in protecting resources intended for patient care from internal abuse.