250 Ghost-Workers: UNIOSUN Threatens Lawsuit Over Audit Report
Management of Osun State University has demanded a formal apology from Sally Tibbot Ltd after a payroll audit report allegedly listed 250 university workers as “ghost workers.”
The University said it may institute legal action if the audit firm fails to issue a formal apology.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Clement Adebooye told journalists in Osogbo on Saturday that he was personally verified during the audit exercise but was still listed as a ghost worker in the report released after the verification.
He said 249 other staff members were also classified as ghost workers, describing the outcome as an attempt to damage the institution’s reputation.
“The Governing Council and Management of Osun State University view the consultant’s report as being precariously subjective, in bad faith, unprofessional and a deliberate attempt to smear the image and reputation of the University with falsehood and malice,” he said.
The vice chancellor alleged that the consultant lacked understanding of university employment structures, including sabbatical leave, study leave, visiting lecturer arrangements and research leave.
He said legitimate staff members on approved leave were wrongly categorised as ghost workers.
“The listing of 250 members of staff (on ground) as ghost workers laid credence to the suspicion that Sally Tibbot focused on her returns rather than the accountability objective of the exercise.totos
“The University unequivocally questions the methodological basis upon which the ghost workers list was drawn, particularly in the light of documented evidence of physical verification,” he said.
The university demanded a formal apology from the audit firm and warned that it would approach the court if the request was not met.
“We request a formal apology to the institution and affected individuals from Sally Tibbot. The Vice-Chancellor and eminent Professors have been bombarded by embarrassing telephone calls, messages and letters from local and international organisations because of the embarrassing audit report. We may go to court to seek redress,” Adebooye said.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
