The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has revealed it recovered over N20 billion in pension deductions from the salaries of ghost workers in 2024.
This disclosure was made by the Chairperson of ICPC, Musa Aliyu, at a breakfast meeting with some members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. The meeting took place on Wednesday in Abuja.
Aliyu stated how the discovery was made. This is even as he said the Commission also arrested some persons who specialized in inserting the names of their cronies into the Federal Government payroll.
According to him, while deductions for workers’ pensions are remitted to Pension Fund Administrators, the same cannot be said for ghost workers’ pension.
Aliyu said, “Any deduction made on ghost workers cannot go to any Pension Fund Administrator. It will be hanging; so, that was the N20 billion recovered.
“We have been able to track and recover this amount of money. And we also identified people that are inserting ghost workers in the system.
“We even discovered that somebody put his wife, his son and his in-law in the payroll. He is a 15-year-old boy. We arrested him.
“These are some of the challenges that we are trying to see that we tackle. We don’t want to allow this to happen again.”
The ICPC boss further revealed that the Commission succeeded in blocking about N50 billion from being diverted by some public officers in 2023.
Aliyu noted that the anti-graft agency had put in place strategies to fight corruption. He, therefore, sought the support of the media in achieving the Commission’s mandate,
According to him, the Commission was trying its best to achieve its goal. He, however, added that it would not hide information or compromise on enforcement
Aliyu said, “As we are empowered and regarding the issue of enforcement, we will ensure that we share verified information through reports, newsletters and press releases on our website and social media.
“Last year, we had an event whereby we unveiled the Strategic Action Plan 2024-2028. Our strategic Action Plan is in line with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
“We would always be proactive in making sure that we don’t allow certain things to happen. So that we don’t go chasing shadows,” he said.
Aliyu, however, advocated a review of the nation’s laws to make corruption less attractive.
According to him, anyone found guilty of corruption should not benefit from it as in some jurisdictions.
The ICPC boss maintained that such persons should be made to pay the full amount involved into public coffers with interest. And that he should be barred from holding public office for as long as 10 years.
Aliyu urged Nigerians to stop eulogizing corrupt people. Stating that this had been at the heart of the rot in society.
The ICPC boss, therefore, pledged to transform the Commission to a leading anti-graft agency in the country. He noted that this would be achieved with the mutual relationship established with the media.
He said, “Our partnership with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has greatly improved our anti-corruption communication and public engagement efforts.
“We salute your commitment to the crusade against corruption and our successful efforts in 2024.
“We believe that our combined professional integrity would lead us to achieve more in our mandate of mass mobilization against corrupt practices in Nigeria.”
In her remarks, the Director of News, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Hussaina Akila, praised the Commission. She, however, commended the ICPC Chairperson for initiating the forum.
Akila, however, urged the anti-graft agency to ensure comprehensive insurance of its operatives. He noted that this would boost their morale.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was attended by editors and bureau chiefs from the northern part of the country.
NAN
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