Payroll Fraud: Police Top List as ICPC Uncovers 908 Fake Workers Across MDAs
Wednesday, 22 July 2026
By Atlantic Digest National Desk
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has uncovered 908 fake workers on the payrolls of several federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), exposing a large-scale salary fraud that allegedly diverted hundreds of millions of naira from the public treasury.
The anti-corruption agency disclosed that it has recovered approximately ₦942 million linked to fraudulent salary payments made to the fictitious employees.
According to ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN), the discovery followed an extensive investigation launched in 2024 after the commission detected irregularities in pension payments and personnel records across government institutions.
The investigation reportedly revealed that the Nigeria Police Force recorded the highest number of ghost workers, with several other MDAs also affected by the payroll fraud scheme.
Aliyu said the fraudulent payments were uncovered through forensic analysis of payroll data and personnel records, enabling investigators to identify names that had been illegally inserted into the government salary system.
The ICPC noted that efforts are ongoing to trace those responsible for the fraud and recover additional public funds where necessary. The commission also pledged to work with relevant government agencies to strengthen payroll verification systems and prevent future abuses.
The discovery is expected to intensify calls for stricter oversight of the Federal Government’s Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and other public-sector financial management platforms.
Anti-corruption advocates have described the findings as another indication of the need for continuous payroll audits, biometric verification and improved internal controls across public institutions.
The ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting individuals involved in payroll fraud and other financial crimes, stressing that protecting public resources remains a key priority in the fight against corruption.
The latest recovery adds to a series of anti-graft efforts aimed at eliminating ghost workers and improving transparency in Nigeria’s public service, as authorities continue to tighten oversight of government expenditure and personnel management.
