The Osun State Government has firmly dismissed allegations of a ₦13 billion payroll fraud, describing the claims as politically motivated and misleading.

In an official statement released on Friday, the Commissioner for Information, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, characterized the accusation by Sally Tibbot Limited as fake news allegedly sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The state government maintained that there is no evidence supporting the existence of a ₦13 billion payroll scam. It explained that a verification exercise conducted on the controversial audit report revealed that more than two-thirds of individuals labeled as ghost workers are legitimate employees with proper identification and documentation.

Officials insisted that the payroll audit was initiated by the current administration as part of efforts to address concerns inherited from the previous government.

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The government further emphasized that Ademola Adeleke remains open to investigations by anti-corruption agencies. According to the statement, the governor was the original initiator of the payroll audit, aimed at probing alleged irregularities within the civil service system.

The administration argued that if any discrepancies are discovered, they would relate to the period under the former governor, Gboyega Oyetola, whose tenure covered the years referenced in the audit.

The statement read in part, “If there is fraud, it is Oyetola’s administration.”

Officials clarified that the consultant responsible for the audit was engaged to investigate rumors of a padded payroll inherited from the previous administration. The review reportedly examined payroll records spanning from 2018 to November 2023.

The state government added that Governor Adeleke would welcome the identification of any ghost workers if they truly exist. Authorities stressed that the governor had earlier insisted on the full implementation of the audit recommendations before discovering loopholes within the report itself.

Addressing calls for federal anti-corruption agencies to intervene, the government expressed readiness for external scrutiny. It specifically welcomed potential involvement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

According to officials, such investigations would further validate the administration’s commitment to transparency. The statement emphasized that the governor has nothing to conceal, reiterating that the audit in question was meant to strengthen accountability within the public sector.

The controversy has heightened political tension in the state, with observers noting that payroll audits often trigger debate in highly competitive political environments. Analysts say that verification exercises are critical tools in addressing systemic inefficiencies but can become flashpoints when linked to partisan narratives.

As the matter unfolds, stakeholders are expected to monitor developments closely, particularly any potential involvement of anti-corruption agencies.

For now, the Osun State Government maintains that the allegations lack factual basis and insists that due process and independent investigation will ultimately clarify the situation.