The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has uncovered alleged ghost-worker schemes involving government payrolls, including an official who reportedly enrolled 14 members of his family and another who allegedly received 13 salaries.
ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu disclosed the findings on Thursday in Abuja while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Economic Confidential Lecture and National Spokespersons Award organised by Image Merchants Promotions Limited.
ICPC Investigates Ghost Workers
Aliyu said the commission’s investigation revealed how individuals manipulated government payroll systems to receive multiple salaries.
According to him, one official enrolled 14 family members on the government payroll while another allegedly registered his wife, daughter, son and other relatives and collected 13 salaries.
The ICPC chairman said the commission also identified about 900 suspected ghost workers and published their names for verification.
He explained that investigators spent about a year examining the cases and uncovering how fictitious names were inserted into official payroll systems.
Payroll Manipulation Exposed
Aliyu said investigators sometimes found a suspected worker’s name and email address listed on an official payroll, while the linked bank account belonged to another individual.
He warned that ghost workers could create additional fraudulent claims beyond salaries, including pensions, housing benefits, mortgage schemes and health insurance.
The ICPC chairman also disclosed that the commission recovered more than N24 billion in ghost pension funds in 2024.
ICPC Pushes Preventive Approach
Aliyu said the commission was increasingly focusing on preventing corruption and protecting government resources rather than relying solely on criminal prosecutions.
He called for greater use of technology, data sharing and cooperation among government agencies to detect fraudulent payroll practices and prevent the loss of public funds.
According to him, the ultimate goal is to ensure that government resources are properly managed and that Nigerians benefit from public expenditure.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Image Merchants Promotions Limited, Yusha’u Shuaib, said the event was designed to promote transparency, accountability and stronger governance through effective public communication.
