The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday alleged a massive N13.7 billion annual payroll fraud under the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, calling on anti-corruption agencies to launch an immediate investigation.
Addressing a world press conference in Osogbo, the state capital, the Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, described the alleged fraud as “mind-boggling” and accused the state government of presiding over widespread financial irregularities.
The briefing, held at the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Office along Gbongan-Osogbo Road, followed allegations reportedly disclosed by Saadat Ottun, Vice Chairman (Chief Executive Officer) of Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited, the firm said to have conducted a staff audit for the state.
Lawal alleged that findings from the audit indicated that a civil servant under the current administration had been receiving the salaries of 5,615 purported ghost workers into a single bank account on a monthly basis. He described the claim as alarming and questioned why no decisive action had been taken since the report was reportedly submitted in July 2024.
The APC chairman further alleged possible complicity involving key figures within the governor’s inner circle, including Dr. Deji Adeleke and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye. He questioned the official role of Dr. Adeleke in the verification and handling of state government documents, urging the administration to clarify the structure of authority and accountability within the government.
The party also raised concerns over the alleged out-of-contract purchase of an Automated Payroll Administrative System valued at N79 million, claiming that payment was made without confirmation of delivery.
The APC called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to thoroughly investigate the allegations and determine the culpability of all individuals involved.
Lawal criticised what he described as the state government’s alleged failure to fully implement the recommendations of the audit report to halt the purported fraud, adding that continued inaction, if the claims are verified, would be indefensible.
He argued that funds allegedly lost to ghost workers could have been redirected to youth empowerment and development initiatives across the state.
As of press time, the Osun State Government had not issued an official response to the fresh allegations. Previous statements from the administration have reportedly denied wrongdoing and accused opposition figures of politicising governance issues.
The allegations are likely to heighten political tensions in Osun State as opposition and government trade accusations over transparency, accountability, and fiscal management.
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