ICPC uncovers two more fake government agencies as investigators widen a probe into Adeniyi Matthew Adeyemi, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) disclosed the findings on Thursday after its chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, presented an interim investigation report to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to the ICPC, Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government. Investigators also found that the PFIPC did not exist under any law or executive order.
The commission said Adeyemi used a forged appointment letter to support his claim. It also accused him of taking over offices and facilities previously occupied by the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
Investigators said he used the facilities to conduct activities involving alleged false representation and impersonation.
However, the investigation did not stop there.
The ICPC said it uncovered two other agencies that it described as fake. They are the FCT Investment Promotion Agency (PIFA) and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (PIPA).
Aliyu said the two organisations were created with forged legislative documents. They were also allegedly used to open bank accounts for unlawful activities.
Furthermore, investigators found that Adeyemi changed the name of the organisation from the Foreign Investment Promotion Council to the Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
According to the ICPC chairman, Adeyemi also attempted to expand the organisation’s activities to include revenue generation.
Despite the alleged activities, Aliyu said investigators found no evidence that the Federal Government approved or released money to the organisation.
He also said the investigation found no security breach within the State House or the Central Bank of Nigeria that allowed the operation to continue.
Meanwhile, the ICPC identified alleged collaborators in several government offices. They include the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, the Accountant-General’s Office, the Budget Office and the National Information Technology Development Agency.
The commission has recommended Adeyemi’s prosecution. It also recommended administrative sanctions for public officials who allegedly assisted the operation.
In addition, the ICPC wants government institutions to strengthen their internal controls.
The commission stressed that its report remains interim. Investigators are still working to establish the full extent of the alleged operation and prepare criminal charges against Adeyemi and anyone else found to have collaborated with him.
President Tinubu has taken note of the findings and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
