Anambra Government Uncovers 59 Dead Workers, 40 Retirees, and 222 Ghost Employees on Payroll

The Anambra State Local Government Service Commission has uncovered a significant payroll fraud involving over 300 ghost workers who have been receiving salaries without working. This revelation was made by the commission’s chairman, Mr. Vincent Ezeaka, on Friday.

Ezeaka, a legal practitioner, has faced criticism from local government workers who accuse him of targeting them unfairly to impress Governor Chukwuma Soludo. Responding to these accusations, Ezeaka stated that his actions align with his mandate to cleanse the local government system of ghost workers.

The discovery followed a five-month biometric attendance exercise, which revealed that 320 employees across 21 local governments had zero attendance over three months. Despite allegations of faulty machines, only 110 workers subsequently verified their attendance, leading to the removal of the remaining 220 from the payroll.

Further physical audits revealed 59 deceased employees, 40 retirees, and 222 unidentified workers, including some who had relocated abroad or taken new jobs while still drawing salaries. Notable cases included individuals who were simultaneously receiving salaries and pensions, such as a woman employed by Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

Ezeaka emphasized that these actions are intended to ensure workers perform their duties and to reduce the state’s wage bill. He added that stopping payments to ghost workers has saved the government significant funds and helped prevent future fraudulent retirement benefits and pensions.

The chairman reaffirmed his commitment to sanitizing the system, stating that he will continue working towards this objective.