ICPC Uncovers 908 Ghost Workers, Police Top List

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has uncovered 908 suspected ghost workers across more than 50 federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), recovering about ₦942 million allegedly paid out through fraudulent salaries.

ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu (SAN) disclosed that the investigation, which began in 2024, exposed widespread payroll fraud involving fictitious names and ineligible individuals placed on government payrolls. In one case, investigators alleged that a suspect enrolled his wife, son and mother-in-law on the payroll while also collecting the salaries of 12 workers. The allegations remain under investigation.

The Nigeria Police Force recorded the highest number of suspected ghost workers, with 570 names identified. Other affected institutions include the National Water Resources Authority (80), the Federal Ministry of Works (56), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (24), the Ministry of Defence (19), the Federal Ministry of Electricity and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (17 each), the Federal Ministry of Health (15), and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (12).

The ICPC also named the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Interior among agencies affected by the ongoing probe, although it did not disclose the number of suspected ghost workers linked to the two institutions. The commission said investigations into the payroll fraud are continuing.