Members of the All Progressives Congress caucus in the National Assembly from Osun State have urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to launch an immediate investigation into alleged ghost workers and payroll fraud in the state.

The lawmakers raised concerns over reports claiming the discovery of 15,000 ghost workers in Osun’s payroll system.

The allegations reportedly emerged from an audit conducted by Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited, which examined state transactions between January 2023 and June 2024.

According to the caucus, the audit uncovered widespread payroll irregularities, financial mismanagement, and what they described as “monumental corruption.”

They further alleged that a single Bank Verification Number (BVN) received salaries for at least 5,615 workers, raising serious questions about internal controls and financial transparency within the Osun State Government.

The lawmakers called on anti-corruption agencies to investigate key officials, including Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, businessman Dr Deji Adeleke, and the governor’s Chief of Staff, Mr Kazeem Akinleye.

They argued that a thorough probe would help restore public confidence and uphold accountability in governance.

However, the Osun State Government has dismissed the allegations, describing the audit report as flawed and politically motivated.

Officials reportedly challenged the consulting firm to provide verifiable names of the alleged ghost workers.

The controversy has intensified political tensions in Osun, with opposition lawmakers insisting that transparency in public finance management is critical to preventing payroll fraud and safeguarding taxpayers’ funds.

As calls for investigation grow louder, attention now shifts to the EFCC and ICPC to determine whether a full-scale probe into the alleged Osun ghost workers scandal will be initiated.