APC calls for probe into alleged ₦13.7bn payroll fraud in Osun

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on statutory anti-corruption agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to thoroughly investigate the alleged ₦13.7 billion payroll fraud under the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Specifically, the party urged the anti-graft agencies to determine the extent of culpability of all individuals involved, particularly businessman Deji Adeleke and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Kazeem Akinleye.

Speaking at a press conference held on Friday at the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Office, Osogbo, the state APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, alleged that a civil servant under the current administration had been receiving salaries meant for 5,615 government workers monthly. He said that if the claim is accurate and the identity of the individual has indeed been uncovered by the audit report, any continued inaction would be indefensible.

The party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, speaking on behalf of the chairman, said the alleged complicity of Dr. Adeleke and the Chief of Staff, alongside other key members of the governor’s inner circle, raises serious concerns that non-state actors may be colluding with officials entrusted with the administration of the state over the past three years to defraud the people and illegally enrich themselves.

According to Lawal, it was disturbing that audit findings were reportedly presented to a member of the Adeleke family while the elected governor appeared sidelined, a development he said raised questions about the structure of authority and accountability within the administration.

He also questioned why decisive action had not been taken since the audit report was reportedly submitted in July 2024, despite claims that individuals linked to receiving salaries meant for 5,615 ghost workers had been identified.

“The Chief of Staff, who reportedly heads the Implementation Committee on the staff audit report submitted by Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited, owes the people of Osun and Nigerians at large a transparent explanation regarding the handling of the findings. So also the businessman and Governor Adeleke’s mentor, Dr. Deji Adeleke, who has allegedly hijacked the running of government from his poorly prepared brother and lackey, Governor Adeleke,” he said.

The APC chairman also called for urgent clarification from the government on the alleged out-of-contract purchase of a recommended ₦79 million Automated Payroll Administrative System (APAS), for which payment was reportedly made without delivery being accepted.