The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has uncovered two additional fake government agencies during its investigation into the activities of the self-acclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Adeniyi Matthew Adeyemi.
The ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, disclosed this on Thursday while presenting the commission’s interim investigation report to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Aliyu said investigations confirmed that Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government and that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was never established by any law or 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.
According to the ICPC chairman, investigators discovered that the fake agency unlawfully occupied the offices and facilities of the defunct Presidential Economic Advisory Council and used them to carry out illegal activities, including impersonation and false representation.
Aliyu revealed that the investigation also uncovered two additional fictitious agencies—the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency—which he said were created using forged legislative documents.
He explained that the agencies were allegedly used to open bank accounts and facilitate 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 stated.
The ICPC, however, said it found no evidence that any government funds were approved or released to the fake agency.
Aliyu also dismissed reports of security breaches within the State House or the Central Bank of Nigeria, saying investigations did not establish any lapses that enabled the operation of the fake agencies.
The commission, however, identified collaborators in several government institutions, including 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 of the Federation, the Budget Office and the National Information Technology Development Agency.
Based on its findings, the anti-corruption agency recommended the prosecution of Adeyemi, administrative sanctions against public officials found to have aided the illegal operation and reforms to strengthen internal controls across government institutions.
Aliyu said the report submitted to President Tinubu was an interim report, adding that investigations were continuing to uncover additional facts and prepare criminal charges against Adeyemi and any other persons found to have participated in the alleged fraud.
He added that President Tinubu had received the report and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption.
