N941.9m recovered from 2024 federal payroll fraud — ICPC
…Commission says payroll filled with fictitious names
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered payroll fraud involving fictitious names and other irregularities in the Federal Government’s Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), leading to the recovery of more than N941.9 million.
The ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), disclosed this in Abuja at the fourth Economic Confidential Lecture and sixth National Spokespersons Awards, themed “Anti-Corruption Reforms, Economic Stability, and Effective Communication.”
Aliyu said the commission’s investigation into the 2024 IPPIS payroll revealed the diversion of public funds through fraudulent entries.
He said the Federal High Court had ordered the final forfeiture of the recovered N941.9 million to the Federal Government.
The ICPC chairman cited the case of Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Mr Olusanya Matthew Arilewola & 908 Others (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/156/2026), in which the court ordered the final forfeiture of the funds recovered during the investigation.
“This reinforces fiscal discipline, protects public finances and ensures that public funds are redirected to their intended purpose,” Aliyu said.
He described payroll fraud as part of a broader corruption problem undermining Nigeria’s economic development, warning that corruption continued to divert resources meant for critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure and social welfare.
“Every diverted public fund represents fewer classrooms, poorly equipped hospitals, abandoned infrastructure, and diminished opportunities for millions of Nigerians,” he said.
