47 applicants lose N51.8 million to fake local government job scams in Cross River

An investigation in Cross River State has revealed that 47 job seekers lost over N51.8 million after paying people who promised to help them get local government jobs.

Nsa Ekpo, the Chairperson of the Cross River State Local Government Service Commission, shared this news on Monday while talking to reporters in Calabar, according to Vanguard newspaper.

Mr Ekpo mentioned that the applicants paid amounts ranging from N100,000 to N1.5 million, thinking the money would secure them jobs in the local government.

"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," he said.

The report also stated that those applying for senior positions were among the ones who paid the most, with some paying as much as N1.3 million and N1.5 million.

Some victims received documents that looked like employment letters, which further convinced them that their job offers were real.

Mr Ekpo said the investigation also discovered attempts to rig the recruitment process by trying to place relatives and other people who did not meet the required standards.

The panel was set up after the public raised concerns about the local government recruitment exercise for 2024/2025.

The investigation leaned heavily on tips and evidence from whistleblowers. "We had guaranteed all whistleblowers security and confidentiality if they came up with evidence," he noted.

The panel's findings led to the cancellation of the recruitment exercise. The state government called the process flawed and said it was affected by job racketeering and commercialization.

After the cancellation, the government approved a new recruitment exercise for 4,000 local government positions and ordered law enforcement to investigate the issues with the cancelled exercise and take action against anyone found guilty.

Mr Ekpo mentioned that 821 candidates from the cancelled exercise have been cleared and will keep their positions, while other qualified applicants will have a chance to take part in the new recruitment.

This new process is expected to start within two weeks and will fill 4,000 roles in the state's local government service.

He assured future applicants that the recruitment would be transparent and not commercialized. He added that the final list of successful candidates, including the 821 who were retained, will be published.

This recruitment controversy comes amid worries about the local government workforce in the state.

In July, PREMIUM TIMES reported that newly hired local government workers protested in Calabar over 11 months of unpaid salaries, asking to be included on the state payroll. The workers said they continued working despite not getting paid.

The state government later stated that a panel had looked into the issue and was acting on its recommendations.

Mr Ekpo said this new recruitment process aims to fix the problems found in the last exercise and ensure future jobs are given based on merit and the right requirements.