ICPC Uncovers Two More Fake Government Agencies in Expanding PFIPC Investigation
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, says its investigation into the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council has uncovered two additional organisations suspected to have been fraudulently presented as government agencies.
ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, disclosed this while presenting an interim report on the investigation to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The commission said its findings indicate that the alleged promoter of the organisation, Adeniyi Matthew Adeyemi, was never appointed by the Federal Government.
Investigators also found that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council had no legal foundation, as it was not established through legislation or an executive order.
According to the ICPC, an appointment letter allegedly used by Adeyemi was forged. The organisation was also accused of occupying offices previously used by the defunct Presidential Economic Advisory Council in an attempt to give the group an appearance of government recognition.
The commission said two other suspected fake agencies were uncovered during the investigation — the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency.
Both organisations were allegedly created using fraudulent documents and were reportedly used to establish bank accounts linked to suspected financial activities.
The ICPC said there was no evidence that government funds were released to the organisations. It also reported that its investigation found no compromise of security systems at the Presidential Villa or the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The commission has recommended the prosecution of Adeyemi, as well as disciplinary action against public officials suspected of facilitating the activities.
It also called for stronger measures to prevent individuals from creating or operating fake government institutions.
The ICPC said some officials across government offices have been identified as possible collaborators, including personnel linked to the offices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Head of the Civil Service, Accountant-General and Budget Office, as well as NITDA.
The commission stressed that the report is still preliminary and that investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the alleged scheme and identify other persons involved.
President Tinubu has been briefed on the findings, with the ICPC reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law.
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