Nigeria: Man charged with fraud for creating fake government agency

Antenyi Adegemi is facing prosecution in Abuja for allegedly creating a fraudulent government agency known as the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC). While Adegemi presented himself as the council's Director General, the presidency has stated that the agency was never established and no such appointment was made.

Despite the agency's non-existence, Adegemi reportedly secured office space within the Federal Secretariat and obtained approximately $1 million from the state budget this year. He also attempted to open accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria. Prosecutors allege that Adegemi forged an appointment letter purportedly from President Bola Tinubu, bearing the signature of Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.

Adegemi has pleaded innocent to eight charges and has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on October 12. While he maintains the PFIPC is a legitimate organization, authorities have not charged any government officials with conspiracy in the matter.