The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has recommended the prosecution of the alleged mastermind behind the controversial fake Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Following a 30-day probe ordered by President Tinubu on July 7, ICPC chairman Musa Aliyu said investigators have established that the fake agency DG, Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, forged the appointment letter and other official documents, including the government gazette used to legitimise the agency, used to set up the agency and allegedly broke into offices previously occupied by the defunct Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) which he used to create an appearance of legitimacy.
Though Adeyemi opened bank accounts to fund the fake agency’s operations, Aliyu says investigators found that federal funds were neither approved nor disbursed to the fake agency.
While absolving the Presidency and the Central Bank, the ICPC faulted several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for institutional lapses that allegedly enabled the suspect’s activities.
Aliyu also disclosed that investigators had uncovered two additional fictitious government agencies allegedly created by the suspect. One FCT Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency/Public-Private Partnership (FIPA-PPP) using similar methodologies.
In addition to recommendations to prosecute Adeyemi, the ICPC chairman said the investigators have also recommended administrative sanctions on public officers whose acts of omission and negligence facilitated the illegal operation of the fake agency.
Investigations remain ongoing as the commission seeks to identify more collaborators and build a criminal case.
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