Anti-corruption agencies have uncovered a suspected “ghost account” allegedly used to siphon public funds belonging to Niger State, with at least N180 million reportedly withdrawn before the account was flagged.
According to investigators, the account—opened in the name of the Niger State Internal Revenue Service—was traced to a commercial bank in Minna but was found to be operating خارج official financial systems of the state’s revenue board.
Officials involved in the probe said the discovery was made during a financial review, which revealed that the account was not recognised within the approved structure of the Niger State Board of Internal Revenue.
A report by Prestige FM, citing a whistleblower, indicated that multiple transactions had been carried out through the account over several months, raising concerns about long-term diversion of public funds.
Sources close to the investigation disclosed that the account was allegedly controlled by a single individual who acted as the sole signatory. The individual is said to have died about two months ago.
Investigators also revealed that the deceased reportedly left behind several high-value properties and business interests in Minna and other locations, all of which are now under scrutiny as part of the ongoing probe.
Authorities have invited staff of the Niger State Board of Internal Revenue for questioning, while forensic auditors continue to examine financial records to determine the full scale of the alleged fraud.
Efforts to get an official response from the state government were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to the governor’s spokesperson, Bologi Ibrahim, were not answered.
The case adds to longstanding concerns over financial leakages in Niger State, where issues such as ghost workers, payroll fraud, and unauthorised accounts have historically impacted public finances despite recent reforms aimed at improving transparency.