Two employees of Nigeria’s Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) have pleaded guilty to diverting salaries meant for former staff of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute Meta, Lagos.
The accused, Shola Onasanya, Chief Accountant, and Halimat Olalere, Principal Executive Officer in the accounts department, both operated at the IPPIS Payroll Desk Office at FMC.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) revealed that the duo diverted a total of ₦1.17 million between January and December 2023. They allegedly failed to remove ex-employees from the payroll system, allowing their salaries to be paid into Olalere’s account, which Onasanya then transferred into his own account, a violation of Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2022.
During court proceedings on September 17, 2025, the defendants entered a plea bargain with the prosecution. However, the court indicated that a conviction could not be based solely on the plea and requested further evidence. The matter has been adjourned to September 18, 2025, for review and determination of the appropriate sentence.
This case underscores ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to tackle corruption within public institutions and safeguard payroll systems.