President Bola Tinubu has directed all civil servants drawing salaries from the government after relocating abroad to refund the money.
he also ordered that the supervisors and departmental heads of the culprits be punished forthe fraud under their watch.
Tinubu’ gave the directive on Saturday at the award night organised by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), to commemorate the 2024 Civil Service Week.
The event was also to honour some outstanding civil servants in core ministries.
Represented by Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the President expressed dismay over the attitude of the ghost workers.
“During my recent visit to South Africa, I kept abreast of the week’s activities.
“I was particularly struck by the revelations shared by the Head of the Civil Service, regarding employees who had relocated abroad yet drawing salaries without formally resigning.
“It is heartening to hear that measures have been taken to address this issue, but we must ensure those responsible are held accountable and restitution is made.
“The culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected.
“Their supervisors and department heads must also be punished for aiding and abetting the fraud under their watch,” Tinubu said.
He assured that government would take appropriate measures to ensure they were punished and the money refunded to government treasury.