ICPC uncovers two more fake agencies in ongoing PFIPC probe

Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it identified two other phony government ministries as part of the investigation into Adeniyi Matthew Adeyemi, who purportedly is the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

This was disclosed by ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, Thursday when he submitted the ICPC’s interim investigation report on the matter to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Politics

As part of its findings, Aliyu said, the commission found out that the claimant, Adeniyi Matthew Adeyemi, was never appointed by the Federal Government as the DG of the council.

Aliyu noted that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council is a non-existent ministry because it was never established either by law or by executive order.

“Our investigation confirmed that the appointment letter presented by Adeyemi was forged, while the PFIPC was never legally established by the Federal Government,” he said.

He added that the fake agency took over the offices and facilities of the former Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) and used them to carry out illegal activities, including false representation and impersonation.

The ICPC chairman said the investigation also uncovered two additional fake agencies: the FCT Investment Promotion Agency (PIFA) and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (PIPA).

Aliyu said the two fake agencies were created using forged legislative documents and were used to open bank accounts for illegal activities.

“Our investigation showed that Adeyemi changed the name of the fake agency from the Foreign Investment Promotion Council to the Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and also tried to expand its activities to include revenue generation,” Aliyu said.

Aliyu said the investigation found no evidence that government funds were approved or released to the fake agency.

He added that there were no security lapses within the State House or the Central Bank of Nigeria that enabled its operations. 

He disclosed that the investigation identified collaborators from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General, the Budget Office and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

According to him, the commission has recommended the prosecution of Adeyemi, administrative sanctions against public officers who assisted the illegal operation, and reforms to strengthen internal controls in government institutions.

Aliyu said the report submitted to the President was an interim one, noting that investigations were still ongoing to uncover more details and prepare criminal charges against Adeyemi and anyone found to have collaborated with him.

He added that President Tinubu had taken note of the findings and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.