By Muhyideen Jimoh
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has submitted an interim report to President Bola Tinubu on its investigation into the alleged fictitious Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, disclosed this on Thursday after briefing Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, exactly 30 days after the President ordered a probe into the matter.
Aliyu said the commission recommended the prosecution of the self proclaimed Director-General of the organisation, Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi, over alleged forgery, impersonation and related offences.
He said preliminary findings established that Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government and that PFIPC was never created by any law, executive order or valid government instrument.
“Following the interim report, it has been established that Adeniyi Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government or any authority of government,” he said.
Aliyu added that the purported appointment letter, gazette and other documents used to support the existence of the agency were forged.
“The appointment letter presented by Adeyemi was completely forged alongside similar documents used to perpetuate the illegal activities of the fake agency,” he said.
According to him, the commission also discovered that PFIPC unlawfully appropriated the identity and office facilities of the former Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC).
He alleged that the office was unlawfully accessed after locks were broken, enabling the suspect to operate from the premises.
Aliyu said investigations further revealed widespread impersonation and false representation allegedly carried out through the fake agency.
He disclosed that ICPC uncovered two additional fictitious agencies allegedly created by Adeyemi to facilitate the scheme and expand its activities.
The agencies, he said, are the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public Private Partnership.
Aliyu said the suspect allegedly used forged legislative instruments to support the creation of the agencies and open bank accounts for their operations.
He, however, clarified that no Federal Government funds were approved or disbursed to PFIPC or its operators.
“Our investigation found that no funds of the Federal Government were approved or disbursed to the fake PFIPC/PEAC.”
The ICPC boss said the commission also found no evidence that the fake appointment letter originated from the Presidency.
He noted that weaknesses in verification procedures and inter-agency oversight created opportunities that were exploited by the suspect and his collaborators.
Aliyu said the commission recommended administrative sanctions against public officials whose actions, omissions or negligence facilitated the operations of the fake organisation.
He added that institutional reforms had also been proposed to strengthen internal controls across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“Adeniyi Adeyemi should be prosecuted, while administrative sanctions should be imposed on public officers whose acts of commission, omission and negligence facilitated the illegal operation of PFIPC/PEAC,” he said.
Aliyu said the investigation remained ongoing to identify collaborators and gather additional evidence before criminal charges are filed.
“We have continued with the investigation of the activities of Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew and his collaborators so that we can unravel more and file criminal charges that can stand the test of time, Aliyu said.
Earlier, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Mr Sunday Dare, said the President would review the report and consult further with the Attorney-General of the Federation before taking action.
Dare added that all relevant agencies, including law enforcement authorities, would continue their investigations to ensure the matter was comprehensively resolved. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola