Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has issued a stern warning to civil servants attempting to falsify their retirement age, stating that anyone caught in such fraudulent activities will face strict consequences.

The governor made this declaration on Thursday in Jalingo while receiving the interim report from the Staff Audit and Verification Committee.

The committee, established in August 2023, was tasked with verifying the actual number of employees on the state payroll, investigating employment records from June 2023 onward, and assessing the legitimacy of newly recruited staff after that period.

The committee was as well expected to provide recommendations for necessary actions.

Kefas reiterated the importance of integrity within the civil service, urging workers to avoid dishonest practices.

He assured that he would carefully review the committee’s findings and communicate further through the State Ministry of Finance.

The governor also encouraged the committee to remain steadfast in ensuring fairness throughout the verification process.

Presenting the interim report, the committee chairman, Haruna Abdulqadir, revealed that they had requested comprehensive staff lists and payroll records from June 2023 to 2024, as well as executive approvals granted to various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) during the period.

According to Abdulqadir, the committee has so far verified 40 out of the state’s 96 MDAs, conducting biometric data capture in the process.

He noted that the audit exercise remains ongoing, with some staff flagged for discrepancies undergoing further scrutiny.

Gov Kefas warns against retirement age fraud in Taraba civil service