Lawmakers urge EFCC: Probe ghost workers row in Osun

EFCC officers

Members of the All Progressives Congress caucus in the National Assembly from Osun State have called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate alleged irregularities uncovered in the state’s payroll.

In a statement jointly signed on Friday by the lawmakers representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Ijesa South Federal Constituency, and Ife Federal Constituency, Oluwole Oke, Olusanya Omirin, and Abimbola Ajilesoro, the lawmakers described as disturbing reports of “widespread irregularities” and the alleged existence of 15,000 ghost workers within the state payroll.

The caucus said the allegations emerged from an audit conducted by Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited, which they claimed exposed financial infractions within the current administration.

But the state government had faulted the firm’s claim, saying that the consultant did a hatchet job.

In series of interviews and statements, the government said the firm couldn’t provide names of the alleged ghost workers it claimed to have discovered.

However, the lawmakers said the firm’s findings pointed to what they described as “an alarming level of opacity, monumental corruption, and financial mismanagement” in the state.

“For months, the Osun APC Caucus in the National Assembly consistently raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the handling of public funds in Osun State.“The latest development has not only justified our position but has also reinforced the patriotic decision taken by members of the APC caucus who recently defected from the People’s Democratic Party to the APC,” the lawmakers said. Punch