The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered hundreds of suspected ghost workers across several federal government institutions as investigations into payroll fraud continue nationwide.
ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, disclosed that investigators uncovered a case involving a government employee who allegedly placed the names of his wife, son and mother-in-law on the payroll while also collecting the salaries of 12 other workers.
According to Aliyu, the Nigeria Police Force recorded the highest number of suspected ghost workers, with 570 individuals identified as allegedly receiving salaries despite not being legitimate employees.
He said the National Water Resources Authority ranked next, with 80 suspected ghost workers discovered on its payroll.
The Federal Ministry of Works followed with 56 suspected fake workers, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recorded 24.
The Ministry of Defence was also affected, with the commission identifying 19 suspected ghost workers receiving salaries unlawfully.
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Aliyu further revealed that the Federal Ministry of Electricity and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment each had 17 suspected ghost workers, while the Federal Ministry of Health recorded 15.
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation was found to have 12 suspected ghost workers.
He added that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Interior were also implicated in the payroll fraud investigation, although the commission did not disclose the number of suspected ghost workers identified in the two institutions.
The ICPC said the nationwide investigation into payroll fraud, which commenced in 2024, is still ongoing as efforts continue to recover stolen public funds and prosecute those responsible.