By Yusuf Salihu Sansani, Jalingo
The Accountant General of Taraba State, Gaius Danjuma, has accused the State Staff Payroll Verification Committee of submitting misleading and inaccurate information to Governor Agbu Kefas regarding its ongoing verification exercise.
In a statement issued in Jalingo, Danjuma said the Committee had already misled the government with questionable figures and demonstrated a lack of focus in carrying out its assignment.
“Several of the numbers presented to the Governor were exaggerated and do not align with the records in my office. After reviewing the report circulating alongside an audio on social media, it is clear that many of the details are inaccurate,” he stated.
Committee Gave Wrong Figures — AG
According to the Accountant General, the Committee’s report failed to give a true representation of its findings.
He alleged that from the onset, the Committee misled the government by deliberately including names of deceased persons and retirees, including a retired civil servant who is a member of the Committee.
He stressed that the actual number of civil servants who had not been paid stood at 4,209, and 4,049 on the payroll, not 7,800, as claimed by the Committee.
Danjuma further clarified that judges’ salaries are handled by the National Judicial Council (NJC), and the state only pays rent supplement allowances.
Claims on Judges, Ghost Workers Inaccurate — Danjuma
The AG dismissed the Committee’s claim that some retired High Court judges were still on the state payroll, saying his office does not determine when judges retire.
He also rejected allegations that he refused to pay 1,410 cleared workers, explaining that payment was delayed because he adhered to the Governor’s directive requiring the Auditor General to harmonize the list of unpaid staff before any approval could be given.
On the Committee’s claim of 7,357 ghost workers, Danjuma said the matter had long been resolved by all parties and wondered why it was reintroduced.
Overpayment Claims Addressed
He debunked the Committee’s claim of an overpayment of over ₦1 million in the October 2025 payroll, but confirmed an earlier overpayment incident detected in July 2025.
“The July discovery involved 21 officers whose payment files appeared manipulated. They were overpaid ₦23,873,800 instead of ₦3,473,866.68, a difference of ₦20,399,933.32, suggesting possible connivance between members of the Committee and the consultant,” he stated.
Inconsistencies in Committee’s Conduct
Danjuma further accused the Committee of inconsistencies, noting that while it reported that only nine files were submitted by the Post Primary Schools Management Board, investigators found that 1,080 files had actually been submitted.
He also faulted the Committee’s handling of memos from the Health Services Management Board (HSMB), alleging a lack of scrutiny and transparency.
“The Committee should have thoroughly examined activities within the HSMB if it was serious about ensuring accountability,” he said.
The Accountant General added that the Committee’s submissions did not add up to its stated figure of 1,410 affected workers, further casting doubt on the credibility of its report.
Committee Chairman Declines Comment
When contacted, the Chairman of the Taraba State Payroll Verification Committee, who doubles as the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, declined to comment, saying he could only do so when authorized by a superior authority
