The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has identified 908 fraudulent entries within the payroll systems of federal ministries, departments, and agencies. This operation led to the recovery of approximately N942 million in diverted government funds.
As reported by BBC Pidgin, ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu stated that the investigation began in 2024 following suspicious pension payment patterns. The probe revealed that public officials frequently manipulated salary databases by inserting fictitious names to misappropriate money.
In one notable instance, a suspect allegedly added his spouse, child, and mother-in-law to the payroll while also harvesting salaries meant for 12 other individuals. The investigation examined 50 federal organizations, uncovering 570 ghost workers within the Nigeria Police Force alone.
Other entities implicated include the National Water Resources Authority with 80 cases, the Federal Ministry of Works with 56, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with 24, and the Ministry of Defence with 19. Additional reports indicate smaller numbers in the ministries of Power, Industry, Trade and Investment, Health, and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The ICPC is continuing its inquiries into the Office of the Accountant-General and the Ministry of Interior.
