A UK-based Nigerian doctor, Richard Akinrolabu, has been sentenced to three years in prison after admitting to defrauding the National Health Service (NHS) of more than £268,000 through fraudulent shift claims and dishonest work practices. The 61-year-old medic was jailed at Woolwich Crown Court on 4 November 2025 after pleading guilty to four counts of Fraud by False Representation.
How the Fraud Was Carried Out
Akinrolabu worked as a specialist registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Princess Royal University Hospital, which is part of the King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. However, between 2018 and 2021, he secretly took on night duties and on-call shifts at three other NHS Trusts, even while repeatedly claiming he was too unwell or unfit to perform similar roles at his primary hospital.
During some of the periods he claimed sickness or reduced duties at Princess Royal University Hospital, the trust had to hire locum doctors to cover his shifts—adding further financial strain on vital health services.
His off-the-books shifts were carried out at:
Basildon Hospital
Princess Alexandra Hospital
East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust
Mid-South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
It was only in 2021 that the fraud began to unravel after King’s College Hospital received a tip-off that Akinrolabu had been working night shifts at Basildon Hospital, despite submitting sick notes at his main workplace.
Investigations and Arrest
Following the tip, the King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust launched an internal investigation and subsequently alerted the NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA). A detailed audit revealed that Akinrolabu had been juggling shifts across multiple hospitals while lying to occupational health assessors, supervisors, and colleagues about his ability to carry out duties at his primary station.
He was interviewed under caution in 2022, but he chose to remain silent, giving a “no comment” response throughout. After months of additional evidence gathering, he was finally charged and later entered a guilty plea.
Judge Condemns Abuse of Trust
While delivering the judgement, Judge David Miller criticised Akinrolabu for deceiving the NHS and violating the trust placed in him as a medical professional. The judge stated:
“You lied to occupational health, your colleagues and your employer. The public doesn’t expect doctors to lie for personal gain.”
NHS Counter Fraud Authority Reacts
Ben Harrison, the Head of Operations at the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, described the case as a clear and deliberate breach of trust, emphasising that the funds Akinrolabu diverted through fraudulent claims were meant to support patients and improve healthcare services.
He reiterated that the NHSCFA remains committed to tracking down individuals who misuse NHS resources, stressing that the system relies heavily on honesty and integrity.
A History of Controversy
This is not the first time Akinrolabu has been in the news. In 2006, he faced allegations relating to an alleged offer to perform an illegal procedure. Although the General Medical Council (GMC) panel dismissed the case due to conflicting evidence, the doctor admitted to engaging in an affair with the complainant, which raised further questions about his professional judgment at the time.
Three-Year Sentence Marks Final Outcome
With his conviction now confirmed, Akinrolabu will serve a three-year prison term, bringing an end to a prolonged case that highlighted weaknesses in shift-tracking systems within the NHS and underscored the importance of accountability among healthcare professionals. Authorities say efforts are underway to recover the defrauded funds, ensuring they are redirected toward patient care, where they rightfully belong.
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