ICPC finds hundreds of ghost workers in police and ministries
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has uncovered a major payroll fraud involving the Nigeria Police Force and several federal ministries. According to Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), the commission discovered 908 suspected ghost workers across at least 50 government institutions. About N942 million was allegedly paid out as fraudulent salaries to these fake workers. Investigations into the payroll fraud, launched in 2024, are still ongoing.
What we know
- Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN) said the Nigeria Police Force had the highest number of suspected ghost workers, with 570 people identified.
- The National Water Resources Authority was found to have 80 suspected fake workers, while the Federal Ministry of Works had 56.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence recorded 24 and 19 suspected fake workers respectively.
- Other ministries affected include Electricity, Industry, Trade and Investment (17 each), Health (15), and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (12).
- The ICPC recovered about N942 million allegedly paid as salaries to these ghost workers, and investigations launched in 2024 are ongoing.
