.HEDA Resource Centre has asked the ICPC to widen its investigation into former Minister Geoffrey Uche Nnaji over alleged continued salary payments, payroll fraud, unlawful enrichment and possible conspiracy involving public officials.
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) filed a supplementary petition with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The petition urges the Commission to expand its ongoing investigation into the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.
HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, signed the petition sent to the Commission. It follows an earlier petition dated 17 October 2025, which accused Mr. Nnaji of certificate forgery, perjury and presenting false academic credentials.
HEDA said fresh information from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) suggests Mr. Nnaji may have continued receiving government salaries months after leaving office.
The group said IPPIS payroll records for June 2026 allegedly showed Mr. Nnaji still listed under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) as “Hon. Minister.”
The records also allegedly showed a net payment of ₦170,282.61 for the month and cumulative earnings of ₦5,845,601.13.
HEDA said if the claims prove true, they expose serious gaps in government payroll management and public service accountability.
The group warned that keeping a former public official on the payroll raises questions about those responsible for managing government salary records.
“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,” Suraju said.
Suraju asked the ICPC to investigate alleged salary fraud, unlawful enrichment, payroll manipulation and possible collaboration with officials who manage payroll records. He also urged the Commission to identify those responsible for approving or maintaining the alleged payments.
HEDA called on the ICPC to stop any further payments linked to the case while investigations continue. The group also asked the Commission to recover any public funds found to have been wrongly paid.
HEDA reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and integrity in public service. The organisation urged anti-corruption agencies to carry out an independent and thorough investigation and prosecute anyone found culpable.
External links
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC): https://icpc.gov.ng/
Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS): https://ohcsf.gov.ng/
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF): https://sgf.gov.ng/
