There are reports of panic spreading among Public Servants in the Nigerian State of Ondo as a continuing probe by the Civil Service Commission appears to be unearthing evidence of the biggest public fraud in the nation’s history.
Evidence is emerging of employment racketeering, stealing and illegal promotions.
The Commission is also investigating all Public Servants with the aim of weeding out those who hold their jobs with fake credentials.
Already, 25 officers have been handed over to the police, and more prosecutions are expected.
Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Doyin Adebowale described how some of those charged allegedly defrauded the State Government.
“One is alleged to have sneaked the name of his wife into the employment of the Ondo State Government and placed her on one of the highest salary levels,” Mr Adebowale said.
“A staff member of the State Universal Basic Education Board is alleged to have pulled out the sum of N104 million ($A420,000) from the Board’s coffers for himself.”
A top Government official who pleaded anonymity said more workers would soon be handed over to the police after investigations had concluded.
“The fraud is widespread and goes very deep,” the official said.
“We have discovered some staff on Level 8 receiving the salary of Level 14. Some just promoted themselves.”
The official said there was also evidence of fictitious employment, with Public Servants collecting the resulting salaries.
“This is not to say all Civil Servants are thieves but the rot is very deep and we are going to uncover them,” the official said.
Mr Adebowale gave credit to the investigation to Head of Service, Alex Aragbaye “who has carried out major reforms”.
Akure, 14 April 2020
