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The World Bank has suspended the first tranche of $100 million in a programme to fund free schools in DR Congo after a November report found fake invoices, lists of teachers filled with fake names at non-existent schools, and alleged embezzlement of 63 billion Congolese francs ($31 million). Two senior officials, including the head of teachers’ payroll, are in pre-trial detention.

After verifying 4,473 employees in the state's three senatorial regions, the Benue State Education Service Board removed 18 dead teachers among the 433 ghost workers found on the state government payroll Moreover, 70 retirees and 193 redeployed employees were uncovered among other irregularities on the payroll such as the lack of utility vehicles and overhead costs. The state Governor charged TBS to ensure the ghost names are deleted from the payment voucher.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has asked the Minister of Education to "urgently probe alleged stealing of teachers" salaries and benefits in several Federal Government colleges across the country, and punish suspected perpetrators.