ICPC recommends prosecution over fake government agency scandal

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has recommended disciplinary action against 13 public officials and the prosecution of Adeniyi Adeyemi following an investigation into the fraudulent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

An interim report submitted to President Bola Tinubu revealed that the PFIPC was not established by any valid legal instrument, executive order, or act. The investigation found that Adeyemi, who was never appointed by the federal government, allegedly paraded himself as the council's Director-General. He is accused of forgery, impersonation, and criminal misrepresentation.

Beyond the PFIPC, the ICPC discovered that Adeyemi allegedly created additional fictitious agencies, including the FCT Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership (FIPA-PPP). Using forged legislative documents, he reportedly opened bank accounts for these entities at Unity Bank.

The commission has called for further investigations into government agencies and financial institutions that may have assisted these unauthorized organizations in gaining official recognition and access to government systems.