UNIOSUN Threatens Legal Action Over Audit Report Of Consultant On VC, Staff Ghost Workers

The management of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Osogbo, has rejected in strong terms the classification of 250 of its staff members, including the Vice-Chancellor, as “ghost workers” in the 2023 Osun State staff audit conducted by Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited, describing the report as unprofessional and malicious.

Addressing journalists at a press conference on Saturday, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, said the institution was compelled to set the record straight in the interest of truth and institutional integrity.

“We have invited you in the spirit of transparency, accountability and respect for truth to address a matter that has generated public concern,” Adebooye said.

“This briefing is a measured institutional response grounded in facts and professional standards. It has no sensational, emotional or political coloration.”

The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that during the May/June 2023 statewide personnel verification exercise, the consultant reportedly classified 250 legitimate staff members — including himself — as ghost workers despite their physical presence and compliance with the verification process.

“The report classified 250 legitimate workers of the University, including the Vice-Chancellor and 249 others, as ‘ghost workers.’ This classification was particularly troubling because the individuals concerned physically appeared, presented valid credentials and complied fully with the verification process,” he stated.

He described the audit process as flawed, alleging operational misconduct and inadequate manpower during the verification exercise. According to him, over 1,000 university staff were scheduled for verification in a single day alongside workers from other state agencies.

“All staff members, including Professors, had to line up under the scorching sun for a long time,” he said, adding that the consultant allegedly demonstrated “arrogance, indiscipline and repulsive behaviours” during interactions with university staff.

Adebooye further questioned the consultant’s understanding of university operations, noting that categories such as sabbatical leave, study leave, visiting lecturer and research leave were allegedly ignored in the compilation of the report.

“The listing of 250 members of staff as ghost workers laid credence to the suspicion that the consultant focused on returns rather than accountability objectives. We question the methodological basis upon which the ghost workers list was drawn,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor maintained that the university operates a foolproof payroll verification system known as “Salary Checker,” under which only staff certified by the 18th of each month are eligible for salary payment.

“Our system does not allow salary padding, let alone ghost workers,” he said, adding that the university currently has 1,463 workers across its six campuses, comprising 628 academic staff, 466 non-teaching staff, 235 support staff and 134 NYSC members.

He accused the consulting firm of breaching standard audit procedures by allegedly insulating its report from institutional review.

“In standard practice, there is a management letter that accompanies every audit report to which the client is expected to respond before finalization. Unfortunately, this did not happen,” he said.

Demanding a formal apology from the consulting firm, Adebooye warned that the university and affected individuals would pursue legal remedies if necessary.

“We take exception to the audit report and we are willing to take further necessary action as permitted by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

“Universities are custodians of knowledge and character. Allegations affecting their integrity must be handled with the highest level of professional caution.”

He reaffirmed that the institution remains open to any lawful and professionally conducted independent review, expressing confidence that such an exercise would validate the legitimacy of its personnel records.

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