ICPC Uncovers Two More Fake Agencies in Ongoing PFIPC Investigation

ABUJA, Nigeria — The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered two additional fake government agencies while investigating the activities of the self-acclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Matthew Adeyemi, further widening an inquiry into what authorities describe as an elaborate scheme involving forged government documents and impersonation.

ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, disclosed the latest findings after presenting the commission’s interim investigation report to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. According to him, investigators established that Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government and that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was never created through any Act of the National Assembly or Executive Order.

Aliyu stated that the investigation confirmed the appointment letter presented by Adeyemi was forged and that the PFIPC had no legal existence within the structure of the Federal Government. He explained that despite lacking legal recognition, the group allegedly occupied offices and facilities previously used by the former Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), from where it reportedly carried out activities including impersonation, false representation and other unlawful operations.

The ICPC Chairman further revealed that investigators discovered two additional fake agencies allegedly linked to the suspect. They are the FCT Investment Promotion Agency (PIFA) and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (PIPA). According to the commission, both organisations were allegedly created using forged legislative documents and subsequently used to open bank accounts for activities currently under investigation.

Aliyu said investigators also established that Adeyemi allegedly altered the name of the organisation from the Foreign Investment Promotion Council to the Foreign Intervention Promotion Council while attempting to expand its operations into revenue generation. However, he emphasised that the investigation found no evidence that public funds were officially approved or released to the fake agency by the Federal Government.

The commission also disclosed that its findings did not indicate any security breach within the State House or the Central Bank of Nigeria that enabled the operations of the alleged fake agency. Nevertheless, 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 of the Federation, the Budget Office and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Based on its interim findings, the ICPC has recommended the prosecution of Adeniyi Matthew Adeyemi and administrative sanctions against public officials found to have assisted the illegal operations. The commission also proposed institutional reforms aimed at strengthening internal control mechanisms across government agencies to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Aliyu explained that the report submitted to President Tinubu represents only an interim stage of the investigation, noting that further inquiries are ongoing to uncover additional facts, identify other collaborators where necessary and prepare criminal charges against all individuals found culpable. He assured Nigerians that the commission remains committed to ensuring that everyone connected with the alleged fraud is thoroughly investigated in accordance with the law.

According to the ICPC Chairman, President Tinubu acknowledged the interim findings and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption. The commission said it would continue its investigation while working with relevant government institutions to strengthen oversight systems and protect public institutions from fraudulent activities carried out under the guise of government agencies.