Salary Fraud In Kano: The Dead, Retired, Received Alerts For March Payment

By Ayodele Oni

In continuation of a move towards cleansing the State payroll system, Kano State Government has discovered that 247 individuals that have either retired from service or dead have been appearing in the local governments’ payroll and their salaries running.

This has cost the state government about  ₦27,824,395.40 for the month of March, 2025 alone.

A government statement explained that “In a decisive move towards cleansing the State Payroll, the Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has recorded a major milestone in its ongoing efforts to reform the salary administration system within the State civil service.

“As part of the reform process, a Pay Parade Committee has been established and will commence its operations shortly. In preparation for the full implementation of its mandate, the Committee deemed it necessary to involve all stakeholders.

“Consequently, the Committee printed the March 2025 payroll vouchers and requested  all Ministries , Departments, Agencies  (MDAs) and Local Government Councils to study the Payrolls and  make necessary observations as a prelude to a comprehensive Pay Parade scheduled to be flagged-off on Monday the 28th of April.

“Arising from the validation exercise, a disturbing irregularity was uncovered within the payroll system of  Local Government Councils.

“The findings revealed that 247 individuals have either retired from service or dead yet, have been appearing in the payroll and their salaries running.

“These fraudulent salary payments amounts  to sum of ₦27,824,395.40 for the month of March, 2025 alone.

“In a prompt and effective response and while further due diligence is being conducted to determine the extent of this apparent fraud and the perpetrators , the  amount has been recovered and returned  to the Local Government  Treasury.

“This significant recovery underscores the administration’s unwavering dedication at entrenching governance, transparency, and  responsible management of public resources.

“The Government remains resolute in its commitment to purging the payroll system of irregularities. Individuals found to be involved in this fraudulent activity will be identified and held fully accountable in accordance with the law.”