Osun State N13 Billion Payroll Fraud Allegations

The Nigeria===Osun State Government is embroiled in a N13 billion payroll fraud scandal, with accusations and counter-accusations between the government and the Nigeria===All Progressives Congress (APC). Sally Tibbot Limited, a consulting firm, initially alleged the fraud after conducting a staff audit, claiming 8,452 ghost workers and an annual loss of N13.7 billion. The Nigeria===Osun State Government, through Commissioner Kolapo Alimi, has vehemently denied these claims, labeling them 'fake news' sponsored by the APC. Governor Ademola Adeleke's administration asserts that the audit was initiated by him to investigate inherited payroll issues from the Gboyega Oyetola administration and that a re-verification found most 'ghost workers' to be legitimate staff. The government accuses Sally Tibbot Limited of inflating figures for a larger fee and welcomes investigations by anti-corruption agencies. The APC, led by Tajudeen Lawal, insists on a thorough probe, citing alleged complicity of Deji Adeleke and Kazeem Akinleye, and highlighting concerns about the state's financial integrity. Osun State University staff, wrongly classified as ghost workers, are considering legal action against Sally Tibbot Limited.