EFCC Uncovers 37,395 Ghost Workers On Government Payrolls

Ibrahim Magu

ACTING Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu yesterday disclosed that the commission had uncovered 37,395 ghost workers on the Federal Civil Service payroll.

Speaking in an anti-corruption sensitisation programme, organised by the commission for workers in Works and Housing sectors, noted that the widespread procurement fraud in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the issue of ghost workers was a source of concern to the commission.

“EFCC has uncovered 37,395 ghost workers in the Federal Civil Service and investigation is still on. Our investigation has shown that the Federal Government lost close to N1 billion to these ghost workers.

“The figure will definitely increase as we unravel more ghost workers buried deep in Federal Civil Service payrolls. In regard to procurement fraud, there has been a sharp rise in the number of petitions relating to violations of the Public Procurement Act (2007).

“That is what informed my setting up a Procurement Fraud Unit, which has commenced investigation of procurement fraud cases, with some already in courts.

“Let me warn that civil servants found guilty under the Public Procurement Act risk terms of imprisonment, ranging from five to 10 years, and in addition, may face dismissal from service. The commission is determined more than ever before to rid MDAs of fraudulent activities’, he said.’

The acting Chairman therefore called on workers in the government to perform their civic duties according to the laws of the land adding that the agency is ever ready to bring any acts of sabotage against the economy particularly on looting of the public fund to a logical conclusion.