The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the final forfeiture of the sum of ₦941,994,079.86 (Nine-Hundred and Forty-One Million, Nine-Hundred and Ninety-Four Thousand, Seventy-Nine Naira, Eighty-Six Kobo) linked to suspected ghost workers uncovered by the Commission’s investigations into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
Hon. Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, gave the ruling in an ex parte application moved by the ICPC (on behalf of the federal government), praying that the funds, believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities, be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The ICPC, following the court’s hint, published the names of 910 individuals suspected of benefiting from the purported fraud in two National Dailies (Daily Trust and The Nation Newspapers) on March 18, 2026.
Investigations by the ICPC had revealed a large-scale payroll fraud involving hundreds of non-existent public servants, with a total sum of N941,994,079.86 traced to accounts linked to the scheme.
The discovery follows a systems study conducted by the Commission in 2023, which revealed the existence of numerous “ghost workers” embedded within the payrolls of several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Acting on the findings, the Federal Government of Nigeria approved a comprehensive audit of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). The approval was granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Subsequently, in April 2024, the ICPC initiated a joint investigation with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAF), which uncovered 587 suspected ghost workers on the IPPIS platform.
Investigations revealed that fictitious IPPIS identities had been created for non-existent personnel across multiple MDAs, with salaries paid over extended periods into accounts belonging to individuals and companies. In many cases, the account names did not correspond with those of the purported employees, while some accounts received multiple salary payments simultaneously.
Between August and November 2024, the Commission took enforcement action by placing Post No Debit (PND) restrictions on all identified accounts, effectively freezing funds suspected to be proceeds of fraud.
The affected MDAs include the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Ministries of Defence, Education, Agriculture and Rural Development, Works, Water Resources, and Interior, as well as institutions such as the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Benin, University of Calabar, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Maiduguri, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and even the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
A verification exercise conducted in 2025 cleared 120 civil servants, whose identities and employment status were confirmed and subsequently reinstated on the IPPIS platform.
However, investigations showed that 467 bank accounts remain linked to unverified individuals, with account holders yet to be identified. The total sum of N941.9 million currently frozen in these accounts formed the subject of legal action.
According to the ICPC Prosecution Counsel, MMrHamza Sani e, Esq., detailed records of the affected accounts, including IPPIS numbers, names of the purported workers, and banking details of beneficiaries, were compiled as part of the evidence before the court.
Justice Nyako, in a recent ruling, effectively ordered the transfer of ownership of the recovered funds to the Federal Government.
“That an Order is hereby made for the Final Forfeiture to the Federal Republic of Nigeria the Sum of ₦941,994,079.86 seized during investigation into the IPPIS Payroll scam in the year 2024,”
The ICPC remains committed to combating corruption and promoting transparency and good governance through the rule of law within the Nigerian space.
