ICPC Exposes Payroll Fraud Involving 14 Family Members

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered an alleged payroll fraud scheme involving a government official who enrolled 14 family members as public employees. ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu disclosed this finding on Thursday during the 2026 Economic Confidential Lecture and National Spokespersons Awards in Abuja.

The commission's year-long investigation revealed various methods used by public officials to insert fictitious employees into government payroll systems, allowing them to collect multiple salaries. Aliyu cited a case where one individual registered his wife, daughter, son, and other relatives, receiving 13 salaries.

Investigators found questionable payroll records with names and email addresses of supposed employees, while the associated bank accounts belonged to different individuals. The ICPC identified about 900 suspected ghost workers and published their names for verification.

Aliyu warned of the broader financial implications of payroll fraud, which could lead to illegitimate pension and health insurance payments. The commission recovered over N24 billion in suspected ghost-worker pension funds in 2024 and is enhancing collaboration with other institutions to prevent fraud.