By Seun Ibiyemi
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered the creation of two fictitious government agencies allegedly established by Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, the purported Director General of the fake Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, disclosed this on Thursday while presenting the interim report of the commission’s investigation into the activities of the fake agency, stating that Adeyemi created additional false institutions to advance his illegal operations.
According to Aliyu, the two fictitious agencies identified by the commission are the FCT Investment Promotion Agency (FIFA) and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public Private Partnership (FIFA-PPP).
He said Adeyemi allegedly forged legislative instruments described as enabling Acts to support the creation of the fake agencies and used the documents to facilitate the opening of bank accounts.
The ICPC chairman explained that investigations revealed that the purported PFIPC itself was never established by any law, executive order or any valid instrument of government, while Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government or any authorised government body.
Aliyu added that the appointment letter presented by Adeyemi, alongside other documents used in operating the fake agencies, were completely forged and did not originate from the Presidency.
“The fake appointment letter of Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew did not originate from the Presidency,” he said.
The commission further disclosed that the fake PFIPC allegedly appropriated the identity, offices and operational instruments of the former Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), while engaging in false representation, impersonation and other illegal activities.
Aliyu said the investigation found that weaknesses in verification processes, inter-agency oversight and government procedures were exploited, with indications of negligence and possible connivance by some individuals.
However, he clarified that no Federal Government funds were approved or disbursed to the fake PFIPC/PEAC and that the systems of the State House and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were found to be above board.
The ICPC chairman said the commission has recommended the full prosecution of Adeyemi, administrative sanctions against public officers whose actions or omissions facilitated the illegal operations, and institutional reforms to prevent similar occurrences.
He added that investigations into the activities, bank accounts and collaborators linked to the fake agencies are still ongoing.
