Osun APC Alleges N13.7bn Payroll Fraud, Calls for ICPC and EFCC Probe

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of presiding over an alleged N13.7 billion annual payroll fraud, describing the development as a “grave crime” that requires urgent investigation.

Speaking at a world press conference held on Thursday, February 20, 2026, at the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Office along Gbongan-Osogbo Road in Osogbo, the Osun APC Chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, said the allegations were based on disclosures reportedly made by Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited, a firm said to have conducted a staff audit for the state government.

Allegations of Ghost Workers and Payroll Irregularities

According to Lawal, the audit allegedly uncovered payroll irregularities amounting to N13.7 billion annually, including claims that one individual received salaries meant for 5,615 purported ghost workers through multiple bank accounts.

The APC chairman questioned why decisive action had not been taken since the audit report was reportedly submitted in July 2024, despite the alleged identification of individuals linked to the irregular payments.

He also raised concerns about the reported purchase of a N79 million Automated Payroll Administrative System (APAS), alleging that payment was made without proper delivery and acceptance of the system.

Alleged Complicity of Key Figures

The party further alleged the involvement of prominent individuals within the governor’s inner circle, including Dr. Deji Adeleke and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye.

Lawal queried the official role of Dr. Deji Adeleke in the verification of state documents and decision-making processes, calling for clarity on the structure of authority and accountability within the current administration.

The APC described the situation as deeply troubling and urged anti-corruption agencies to investigate the extent of culpability of all individuals allegedly involved.

Call for Federal Investigation

The opposition party specifically called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch a comprehensive probe into the alleged payroll fraud.

Lawal stated that those found culpable must be prosecuted in accordance with the law to safeguard public funds and restore public confidence in governance.

Government Yet to Respond

As of the time of filing this report, the Osun State Government had not issued an official response to the allegations raised at the press conference.

The APC maintained that the people of Osun State deserve transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership, insisting that the alleged misappropriated funds could have been deployed toward youth development and critical public services.

Observers say the unfolding controversy is likely to intensify political tensions in the state, as stakeholders await further clarification and possible action from relevant investigative authorities.

Full Text Below:

*THE MIND-BOGGLING N13.7 BILLION PAYROLL FRAUD IN OSUN BY GOVERNOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE’S ADMINISTRATION IS A BIG CRIME*

Gentlemen of the Press,

1. The troubling revelation of an alleged annual N13.7 billion payroll fraud rocking the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, as disclosed by the Vice Chairman (Chief Executive Officer) of Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited, Saadat Ottun, has once again vindicated our party and confirmed our patriotic posture over the last three years of the Senator Ademola Adeleke administration.

2. The revelation has not only validated the sheer irresponsibility and incompetence of Governor Adeleke and his horde of associates, but has also confirmed that the government in Osun is a cesspool of corruption and one that the anti-corruption agencies must beam their searchlight on to fish out the criminals and economic vagabonds milking the resources of Osun State and lining their pockets with our commonwealth. 

3. The alleged complicity of Dr Deji Adeleke and of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, alongside other key members of the governor’s inner circle, raises serious concerns that non-state actors and those not known to law collude with characters entrusted with the administration of the state over the past three years to shortage the people of the state and illegally enrich themselves with the wealth of the people. 

4. Ọsun is bleeding. Terribly bleeding. Whoever foisted Governor Adeleke as the political leader of this state, despite evident concerns about his controversial academic credentials, his  incompetence and his intellectual hollowness, must reflect deeply, as history will judge such actions. Osun State has not only become a subject of public scrutiny among the comity of states but has also been deprived of the progress and prestige it once enjoyed.

5. It is particularly troubling that the audit findings were reportedly presented to Dr Deji Adeleke, a member of the Adeleke family, while the elected governor appeared sidelined like a troubled mendicant in his oversized knickerbocker. This development raises questions about the structure of authority and accountability within the current administration.

6. One is compelled to ask: what official role does Dr Deji Adeleke play in the verification of state government documents, especially having publicly distanced himself from partisan politics in the past? The people of Osun State deserve clarity on this matter.

7. We call on statutory anti-corruption agencies, particularly the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) to thoroughly investigate the alleged payroll fraud and determine the extent of culpability of all individuals involved, especially Dr Deji Adeleke and Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye.

8. It is alarming that a government of Governor Adeleke which out of vendetta and touted lack of finance sacked teachers and health workers procedurally and legitimately recruited by the APC government and forced them into labour market, could be so wicked to develop a criminal siphoning scheme where a single individual would receive into his bank account salary meant for 5, 615 ghost workers? 

 

9. This raises critical questions: who has been benefitting from these alleged fraudulent payments? Why has decisive action not been taken since the report was reportedly submitted in July 2024?

10. The people of Osun deserve answers as to why the administration has not fully implemented the recommendations of the audit report to halt the alleged fraud.

11. It is further alleged that a civil servant under the current administration has been receiving the salaries of 5,615 government workers monthly. If this claim is accurate, and the identity has indeed been uncovered by the audit report, the continued inaction would be indefensible.

12. Why, despite the identification of individuals with multiple bank accounts linked to payroll irregularities, has no decisive public action been taken?

13.  Does this not suggest possible complicity at the highest levels?

14. The Chief of Staff, who reportedly heads the Implementation Committee on the staff audit report submitted by Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited, owes the people of Osun and Nigerians at large a transparent explanation regarding the handling of the findings. So also the business man and Governor Adeleke's mentor, Dr Deji Adeleke, who has hijacked the running of government from his poorly prepared brother and lackey, Governor Adeleke. 

15. The matter concerning the alleged out-of-contract purchase of a recommended N79 million Automated Payroll Administrative System (APAS), for which payment was reportedly made without delivery being accepted, also requires urgent clarification.

16. It is regrettable that rather than embracing transparency and accountability, the Osun State Government has reportedly responded with denial and counter-accusations. Such an approach only deepens public suspicion and erodes trust in governance.

17. The seriousness of these allegations demands immediate and thorough investigation by relevant anti-corruption agencies. Those found culpable must be held accountable in accordance with the law to safeguard taxpayers’ funds and restore confidence in public administration.

18. The people of Osun State deserve transparent, responsible, and accountable leadership. The N13.6 billion public fund being paid to ghost workers and siphoned by the friends of the governor can be judiciously used to give a good life to no fewer than 50,000 Osun youths. 

19. The Osun people must rise in unison to put a stop to the financial recklessness and economic bleeding going on under the nose of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

20. Thank you for your time.

*BEING THE TEXT OF A WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE ALLEGED N13.7 BILLION PAYROLL FRAUD IN OSUN STATE UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE, ADDRESSED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OSUN STATE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC), SOOKO TAJUDEEN LAWAL, TODAY, 20TH FEBRUARY, 2026, AT THE TINUBU/SHETTIMA CAMPAIGN OFFICE,  ALONG GBONGAN-OSOGBO ROAD, OSOGBO, OSUN STATE.*

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