Osun APC Alleges N13.7bn Payroll Fraud, Government Denies Claim

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged the existence of a N13.7 billion annual payroll fraud under the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The allegation was made on Friday during a press conference addressed by the state APC chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, in Osogbo.

The development follows earlier claims by the Osun State Government, which strongly refuted allegations of a N13 billion payroll scam linked to Sally Tibbot Limited.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government described the claims as fake news sponsored by the APC.

The state government maintained that no fraud existed, stating that verification of the disputed audit report showed that many individuals labelled as ghost workers were legitimate staff with proper identification and documentation.

It also stressed that Governor Adeleke remained open to investigations by anti-corruption agencies, noting that he initiated the staff audit to address payroll concerns.

However, speaking at the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Office along Gbongan-Osogbo Road, Lawal said disclosures attributed to the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited, Sa’adat Bakrin‑Ottun, supported the party’s concerns about irregularities in the state payroll system.

Lawal alleged that the revelation pointed to serious irregularities and urged anti-corruption agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to launch a comprehensive probe.

He also raised concerns about the alleged involvement of individuals within the governor’s inner circle and called on investigators to determine the extent of their roles.

The APC chairman questioned the administrative structure of the state government, insisting that residents deserve clarity on accountability.

The party further expressed concern over what it described as delayed action following the submission of the audit report in July 2024.

Lawal claimed that one civil servant was allegedly receiving salaries meant for 5,615 workers, describing the allegation as alarming and deserving urgent investigation.

He also demanded explanations regarding the reported purchase of an Automated Payroll Administrative System valued at N79 million, alleging that payment was made without confirmed delivery or deployment.

The APC maintained that only a transparent and independent investigation would resolve the controversy and called on relevant anti-corruption agencies to examine the allegations and hold any culpable individuals accountable.

Earlier, forensic audit firm Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited had alleged that the Osun State Government inserted 8,452 ghost workers into its payroll, resulting in an annual loss estimated at N13.7 billion.

The firm’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer disclosed that the figures emerged from a forensic audit and payroll validation exercise conducted for the state government.

At the time the claims were made public, the Osun State Government denied the allegations, stating that a re-verification exercise showed significant inflation in the figures originally submitted by the consultant.