HEDA urges ICPC to probe ex-minister’s alleged salary fraud, payroll

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre has asked the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to widen its ongoing investigation into former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, to include allegations of salary fraud, unlawful enrichment, payroll manipulation and possible conspiracy involving public officials.

In a supplementary petition signed by HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the organisation urged the anti-graft agency to investigate fresh allegations that Nnaji allegedly remained on the Federal Government’s payroll months after leaving office.

The petition follows an earlier petition dated October 17, 2025, in which HEDA accused the former minister of certificate forgery, perjury and presenting false academic credentials.

According to the organisation, newly obtained records from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System indicated that Nnaji may have continued to receive salary payments after his removal from office.

HEDA alleged that payroll records for June 2026 showed that Nnaji was still listed under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as “Hon. Minister” and received a net salary payment of N170,282.61 for the month.

The organisation further claimed that the IPPIS records reflected cumulative earnings of N5,845,601.13 recorded against his profile.

Expressing concern over the development, Suraju said the alleged continued payment of public funds to a former public office holder raised serious questions about the integrity of the government’s payroll system.

“We are concerned that a public official who has left office could allegedly remain active on the government payroll system for several months. Beyond the individual involved, this raises questions about the accountability of officials responsible for maintaining and supervising government payroll records,” he said.

He urged the ICPC to broaden its investigation to cover alleged salary fraud, unlawful enrichment, payroll manipulation and possible collaboration between the former minister and officials responsible for managing government payroll records.

The organisation also called on the commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged retention of Nnaji’s profile on the IPPIS platform after he left office.

It further urged the anti-graft agency to identify and investigate officials responsible for approving or maintaining the alleged payments, halt any further disbursement of public funds pending the outcome of its investigation, and recover any funds found to have been improperly paid.

HEDA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability and integrity in public service.

The organisation stated that public resources must be protected through effective oversight mechanisms and called on the ICPC and other relevant anti-corruption agencies to conduct “a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation” into the allegations and “take appropriate legal action where wrongdoing is established.”