The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reported the recovery of over N20 billion in pension deductions that were originally allocated to non-existent workers in 2024.
ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, shared this information in Abuja while addressing members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Abuja.
Dr. Aliyu explained that the recovered funds came from pension deductions that had been made from salaries of ghost workers. He clarified that while legitimate workers’ pension deductions are transferred to Pension Fund Administrators, those for ghost workers remain unclaimed, resulting in a significant financial recovery by the commission.
“Any deduction made on ghost workers cannot go to any Pension Fund Administrator. It will be hanging; so that was the N20 billion recovered,” he said.
Additionally, the ICPC chairman disclosed that the commission arrested individuals who fraudulently inserted their associates into the federal government’s payroll system.
One such case involved a government employee who added his family members, including his wife and son, to the payroll.
Dr. Aliyu shared that this particular fraudster was even a 15-year-old boy, highlighting the disturbing extent of payroll manipulation.
The commission’s efforts in 2023 also included preventing the diversion of N50 billion by corrupt public officials.
Dr. Aliyu stated that the ICPC is committed to enforcing anti-corruption measures, with a focus on proactive action to avoid future mismanagement.
He also called for a review of the country’s anti-corruption laws, suggesting that harsher penalties should be imposed on those found guilty of corruption. He proposed that convicted offenders should repay stolen amounts with interest and face bans from holding public office for up to 10 years.
Also, Dr. Aliyu stressed the importance of shifting societal attitudes, urging Nigerians to stop glorifying corrupt individuals, as this only perpetuates unethical behaviour in the country.
