MTN Nigeria under fire over 1.7B naira payroll fraud case

MTN Nigeria under fire over 1.

• Four former staff allegedly diverted salaries after resignation using system loopholes.
• MTN confirms legal action and internal review amid rising digital fraud concerns.

What happened: Ex-employees accused of manipulating SAP payroll system

MTN Nigeria is under investigation for alleged involvement in a 1.7 billion naira fraud scheme linked to its payroll system. Court documents filed at the Lagos State High Court show that four former employees continued receiving salaries by bypassing the company’s exit process. They reportedly altered records to prevent official termination, allowing salaries to be paid for months after resignation.

The accused, including human resources staff, used their access to the SAP enterprise system to manipulate payroll entries. They are said to have redirected payments into their personal accounts, exploiting weak oversight mechanisms. As reported by Capacity Media, the fraud spanned several years and remained undetected due to insider knowledge.

MTN Nigeria stated that it had taken internal disciplinary action, launched audits, and is now pursuing legal redress. The case is being heard before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe in Lagos.

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Why it’s important

This case has exposed significant weaknesses in MTN Nigeria’s internal control systems. As the country’s largest mobile operator and a subsidiary of MTN Group, MTN Nigeria serves more than 77 million customers. Fraud involving 1.7 billion naira signals a broader issue within enterprise-level payroll and HR systems, particularly those using complex platforms like SAP.

Nigeria’s business sector is already grappling with rising digital fraud. In 2023, the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System reported over 17.7 billion naira lost to electronic fraud across industries. The MTN case may influence how firms nationwide manage employee exits, system privileges, and payroll oversight.

Given MTN’s expanding role in mobile banking and digital payment services, such internal breaches may damage trust in its infrastructure. Addressing internal fraud is essential not only for MTN’s credibility but also for investor confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy.