No fewer than 47 job applicants were defrauded of over N51.8 million during the cancelled 2024/2025 local government recruitment exercise in Cross River State.
The Chairman of the Cross River State Local Government Service Commission, Barr. Eyo Nsa Ekpo, disclosed this during an early-morning radio programme, Let’s Talk Nigeria, on Sparkling FM.
According to Ekpo, victims were allegedly cajoled, frightened, and intimidated into paying between N100,000 and N1.5 million under the guise of securing local government employment. Applicants seeking senior positions paid as much as N1.3 million to N1.5 million each.
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The fraud came to light following an investigation by a panel constituted by the state government in response to public outcry and formal complaints regarding the recruitment process.
“The panel found out that as many as 47 victims were cajoled, frightened and intimidated to part with over N51.8 million for fake local government jobs,” Ekpo stated.
He revealed that the perpetrators issued fake employment letters to victims to deceive them into believing they had secured official appointments. Additionally, some organizers manipulated the recruitment to favor family members, including individuals who do not reside in Cross River State.
“Many of these victims came to open up and submitted evidence which the panel verified. We had guaranteed all whistleblowers security and confidentiality if they came up with evidence,” Ekpo added.
Following the panel’s findings and recommendations, the Cross River State Government officially cancelled the 2024/2025 recruitment exercise. Ekpo confirmed that the state government is currently identifying the individuals involved in the scam for questioning, prosecution, and appropriate sanctions.
Despite the cancellation, 821 persons from the initial exercise will be retained. Other qualified applicants will have the opportunity to reapply in a fresh recruitment exercise scheduled to commence in two weeks.
Ekpo assured the public that the upcoming exercise will adhere strictly to standard procedures, remain uncommercialised, and that the final list of successful candidates – alongside the 821 retained workers – will be published to guarantee transparency.
