A UK-based Nigerian physician, Richard Akinrolabu, has been sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court docket after defrauding the NHS of over £268,000 by working shifts whereas on sick go away.
Akinrolabu had pleaded responsible to 4 counts of Fraud by False Illustration on the identical courtroom on 3 September 2025.
He was employed as a belief grade specialist registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology at Princess Royal College Hospital (PRUH) in London, a part of King’s School Hospitals (KCH) NHS Basis Belief. (Belief grade specialist registrars are a kind of resident physician, previously often known as junior docs.)
Between October 2018 and December 2021, Akinrolabu carried out on-call and night time shifts at three different NHS trusts, regardless of informing his main employer that he was unfit to work.
Throughout this era, KCH continued paying his full wage and needed to rent locum docs to cowl the shifts he secretly labored elsewhere.
In November 2021, KCH realized that Akinrolabu had been working night time shifts at Basildon Hospital. Investigations revealed he had additionally labored at Princess Alexandra Hospital, East Kent Hospitals College Basis Belief, and Mid-South Essex NHS Basis Belief, all whereas on sick go away or diminished duties from KCH.
Proof confirmed he had neither sought nor acquired permission for secondary employment. Timesheets and payroll information confirmed most shifts had been on-call or at night time, contradicting his claims of being unfit to work.
Throughout a June 2022 interview beneath warning, Akinrolabu declined to reply questions. Following additional investigation by the NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA), he was charged with 4 counts of Fraud by False Illustration.
His Honour Decide David Miller mentioned, “You lied to occupational well being, your colleagues, and your employer. The general public doesn’t anticipate docs to lie for private acquire.”
NHS Assertion, Ben Harrison, Head of Operations on the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, commented,
“This case demonstrates a transparent and deliberate abuse of belief by an NHS skilled who knowingly breached the circumstances of his employment for private acquire.
“By working extra on-call and night time 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.”