The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on anti-graft agencies to immediately investigate what it described as a “mind-boggling” ₦13.7 billion annual payroll fraud allegedly rocking the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The party accused the Adeleke-led government of presiding over a massive ghost worker scheme and shielding those allegedly involved in the purported fraud.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Thursday, the Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, hinged the party’s demand on claims reportedly made by Saadat Ottun, Vice Chairman (Chief Executive Officer) of Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited.
According to Lawal, Ottun had disclosed irregularities uncovered during a staff audit allegedly conducted for the state government.
He claimed the audit revealed an annual payroll fraud of ₦13.7bn and alleged that a civil servant under the current administration had been receiving salaries meant for 5,615 workers into a single bank account.
Lawal described the development as shocking and accused the state government of failing to act decisively despite the alleged submission of the audit report in July 2024.
He said, “The troubling revelation of an alleged annual ₦13.7bn payroll fraud rocking the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, as disclosed by the Vice Chairman (Chief Executive Officer) of Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited, Saadat Ottun, has once again vindicated our party and confirmed our patriotic posture over the last three years of the Senator Ademola Adeleke administration.
“The revelation has not only validated the sheer irresponsibility and incompetence of Governor Adeleke and his horde of associates, but has also confirmed that the government in Osun is a cesspool of corruption and one that the anti-corruption agencies must beam their searchlight on to fish out the criminals and economic vagabonds milking the resources of Osun State and lining their pockets with our commonwealth.”
The APC chairman further alleged complicity of top officials in the administration.
“The alleged complicity of Dr Deji Adeleke and of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, alongside other key members of the governor’s inner circle, raises serious concerns that non-state actors and those not known to law collude with characters entrusted with the administration of the state over the past three years to shortchange the people of the state and illegally enrich themselves with the wealth of the people,” he added.
The party urged anti-corruption agencies to immediately beam their searchlight on the state’s payroll system and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
The party further accused the government of failing to act despite allegedly identifying individuals linked to multiple bank accounts used in payroll irregularities.
‘Osun Is Bleeding’
Addressing journalists in Osogbo, the Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, alleged that the state was in dire straits under the current administration.
“Ọsun is bleeding. Terribly bleeding. Whoever foisted Governor Adeleke as the political leader of this state, despite evident concerns about his controversial academic credentials, his incompetence and his intellectual hollowness, must reflect deeply, as history will judge such actions,” Lawal said.
“Osun State has not only become a subject of public scrutiny among the comity of states but has also been deprived of the progress and prestige it once enjoyed.”
He further alleged that despite the discovery of individuals operating multiple accounts connected to payroll discrepancies, no public action had been taken.
“It is further alleged that a civil servant under the current administration has been receiving the salaries of 5,615 government workers monthly. If this claim is accurate, and the identity has indeed been uncovered by the audit report, the continued inaction would be indefensible. Why, despite the identification of individuals with multiple bank accounts linked to payroll irregularities, has no decisive public action been taken?” he queried.
Questions Over Audit Process
Lawal also raised concerns over the handling of the audit findings, particularly the alleged role of Dr Deji Adeleke.
“It is particularly troubling that the audit findings were reportedly presented to Dr Deji Adeleke, a member of the Adeleke family, while the elected governor appeared sidelined like a troubled mendicant in his oversized knickerbocker. This development raises questions about the structure of authority and accountability within the current administration.
“One is compelled to ask: what official role does Dr Deji Adeleke play in the verification of state government documents, especially having publicly distanced himself from partisan politics in the past? The people of Osun State deserve clarity on this matter,” he stated.
He also alleged that the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, who reportedly heads the implementation committee on the audit report, owed the public a transparent explanation on how the findings were handled.
“Does this not suggest possible complicity at the highest levels?” Lawal asked.
The APC chairman urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to conduct what he described as a “thorough and transparent” investigation.
“We call on statutory anti-corruption agencies, particularly the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, to thoroughly investigate the alleged payroll fraud and determine the extent of culpability of all individuals involved, especially Dr Deji Adeleke and Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye,” he said.
He further criticised the administration for allegedly sacking teachers and health workers recruited by the previous APC government, citing financial constraints.
“It is alarming that a government of Governor Adeleke which out of vendetta and touted lack of finance sacked teachers and health workers procedurally and legitimately recruited by the APC government and forced them into labour market, could be so wicked to develop a criminal siphoning scheme where a single individual would receive into his bank account salary meant for 5,615 ghost workers?” he said.
₦79 Million Payroll System Controversy
Lawal also referenced an alleged out-of-contract purchase of a recommended ₦79 million Automated Payroll Administrative System.
“The matter concerning the alleged out-of-contract purchase of a recommended ₦79 million Automated Payroll Administrative System, for which payment was reportedly made without delivery being accepted, also requires urgent clarification,” he stated.
He faulted what he described as the government’s response of denial and counter-accusations.
“It is regrettable that rather than embracing transparency and accountability, the Osun State Government has reportedly responded with denial and counter-accusations. Such an approach only deepens public suspicion and erodes trust in governance.
“The seriousness of these allegations demands immediate and thorough investigation by relevant anti-corruption agencies. Those found culpable must be held accountable in accordance with the law to safeguard taxpayers’ funds and restore confidence in public administration,” Lawal added.
According to him, funds allegedly siphoned through ghost workers could have been channelled into youth empowerment and development initiatives across the state.
As of the time of filing this report, the Osun State Government had yet to issue an official response to the fresh allegations.
