The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered two more alleged fake government agencies as its investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) deepens.
ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, revealed the latest findings on Thursday while presenting the commission’s interim investigation report to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Aliyu, investigators established that the self-acclaimed Director-General of PFIPC, Adeniyi Matthew Adeyemi, was never appointed by the Federal Government and that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was never created through any law or executive order.
He disclosed that the appointment letter presented by Adeyemi was allegedly forged, while the PFIPC itself had no legal backing.
The commission further alleged that the fake agency occupied offices and facilities previously used by the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), where it reportedly carried out unlawful activities, including false representation and impersonation.
In another startling revelation, the ICPC said it discovered two additional fake agencies — the FCT Investment Promotion Agency (PIFA) and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (PIPA).
According to Aliyu, the agencies were allegedly created using forged legislative documents and were used to open bank accounts for illegal operations.
He added that Adeyemi allegedly changed the agency’s name from the Foreign Investment Promotion Council to the Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and attempted to expand its operations into revenue generation.
Despite the alleged scheme, the ICPC said its investigation found no evidence that government funds were approved or released to the fake agency. It also stated that there were no security breaches within the State House or the Central Bank of Nigeria that enabled its activities.
However, the investigation reportedly identified collaborators from 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, the Budget Office, and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
The anti-graft agency has recommended Adeyemi’s prosecution, disciplinary action against public officials who allegedly aided the operation, and reforms to strengthen internal controls across government institutions.
Aliyu described the report submitted to President Tinubu as an interim report, stressing that investigations are ongoing to uncover more details and prepare criminal charges against all individuals found to have participated in the alleged fraud.
He added that President Tinubu acknowledged the findings and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
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