ICPC uncovers ghost payrolls, official paying 14 family members

ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu SAN shared this information during the 2026 Economic Confidential Lecture and National Spokespersons Award in Abuja. Aliyu stated that investigations exposed how individuals manipulated government payroll systems to receive multiple salaries. The commission identified approximately 900 suspected ghost workers and published their names, challenging them to prove their legitimacy.

The ICPC spent a year investigating these cases, uncovering methods such as linking official payroll entries with email addresses to bank accounts belonging to other individuals. Aliyu warned that the consequences of ghost workers extend beyond salaries to include fraudulent pensions, housing, and health insurance. In 2024, the ICPC recovered over N24bn in ghost pension funds.

The commission is focusing on preventing corruption through cross-agency collaboration and ensuring proper execution of government projects, rather than solely relying on criminal prosecution. Aliyu also advocated for increased use of data and technology in anti-corruption efforts. The lecture, organized by Image Merchants Promotions Limited, aimed to promote stronger governance through transparency and accountability.