๐ข๐๐๐ป ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ท๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐ก13๐ฏ๐ป ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐น๐น ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฑ ๐ฐ๐น๐ฎ๐ถ๐บ, ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐๐น๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ณ๐ถ๐ด๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐
The Osun State Government has dismissed allegations of a โฆ13 billion payroll fraud, describing the claims as misleading and accusing a private consultant of deliberately inflating figures linked to supposed โghost workersโ in the stateโs civil service.
In a statement issued by government officials, the administration said recent reports suggesting massive payroll irregularities were inaccurate and failed to reflect the findings of its internal verification processes. According to the state, ongoing payroll audits were designed to enhance transparency and block leakages โ not to confirm the existence of a large-scale fraud as alleged.
The government specifically alleged that the consultant involved in the exercise exaggerated numbers to justify a proposed commission reportedly worth about โฆ2 billion. Officials argued that the consultantโs figures were inconsistent with verified staff records and lacked supporting documentation.
Authorities maintained that while routine audits may uncover minor discrepancies, there was no evidence to support claims of a โฆ13 billion fraud. They added that the state has continued to implement biometric verification, staff validation, and digital payroll systems aimed at eliminating irregular payments.
Osun officials also warned against the spread of unverified information, saying sensational claims could create unnecessary anxiety among workers and the public. The government insisted that civil servantsโ salaries and entitlements remain protected and that due process would guide any disciplinary actions if genuine infractions are discovered.
The controversy comes amid broader national scrutiny of payroll systems across Nigerian states, where several governments have intensified efforts to tackle ghost-worker schemes and improve fiscal accountability. Observers say the situation in Osun highlights the growing tension between anti-corruption audits and the role of external consultants in public sector reforms.
For now, the state government says it remains open to independent review but stands by its position that the alleged โฆ13 billion payroll fraud claim is unfounded.
