PFIPC Scandal: Reps Uncover 12 ‘Fake’ Agencies, 58 Bank Accounts Linked To Adeyemi

…Exonerate Gbajabiamila

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has uncovered 12 fake agencies, companies, foundations, and organisations allegedly linked to the self-acclaimed Director-General of the council, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.

The committee, chaired by Hon. Yusuf Gadgi, in a preliminary report presented at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Wednesday, said evidence showed that Adeyemi’s Bank Verification Number and other identifying details were linked to a substantial network of personal, corporate, organisational and foundation accounts.

Among the entities identified are the Confederation of United Nations Youths, FCT Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership, FCT Investment Promotion Council and Public-Private Partnership, Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and United Nations Youth Global Agency.

Others are United Nations Youth Global Foundation, World United Nations Youth Global Foundation, World Entrepreneurship University Limited, World Enterprise University Limited, FCT Investment Promotion Act, FCT Promotion Agency and Olubadan of Ibadan Foundation.

The committee said preliminary information indicated that about 58 bank accounts were linked through the relevant identifying details, while more than 30 accounts appeared to have been operated in the names of about nine agencies, companies, foundations or related entities.

However, the committee said it has not concluded that every identified account, entity or transaction was unlawful.

“The Committee is reconciling registration records, account mandates, beneficial ownership information, signatories and transaction histories to determine the true nature and control of the identified entities and accounts.

“The similarities in nomenclature, objectives, management structures, signatories and bank-account relationships raise a legitimate investigative concern that multiple organisations may have been created or deployed using governmental, international, investment, educational, charitable, foundation or United Nations-related identities.

“Evidence presently before the Committee suggests that Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi may have been connected, directly or indirectly, with more than twelve such entities.

“The Committee is determining whether these entities were conceived or utilised to create artificial credibility, solicit funds, obtain investments, procure official recognition, secure government facilities or induce members of the public to part with money,” the report stated.

The panel said it received and examined official correspondence demonstrating that concerns regarding the purported organisation had previously been brought to the attention of the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

“Evidence indicated that following an alert from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission concerning suspected fraudulent activities and misuse of institutional materials, the Chief of Staff acted within one day by communicating with relevant security and investigative institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, Office of the National Security Adviser, Department of State Services and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

“He also initiated administrative verification through the appropriate government institutions. When further concerns emerged, including matters related to a proposed World Investment Summit, additional communications requesting an investigation and appropriate action were issued.

“The documentary evidence presently before the Committee does not establish that the Chief of Staff authorised, approved, established or participated in the activities of the purported organisation. On the contrary, the evidence demonstrates repeated steps to secure investigation, institutional verification and appropriate administrative action.

“The Committee therefore preliminarily commends Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila for the timely security and administrative interventions undertaken whenever the matter was formally brought to his attention,” the report reads in parts.

The Committee also acknowledged the detailed investigative work and submissions of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Office of the National Security Adviser, which assisted it in tracing fabricated documentation, related entities, financial accounts, transactions and persons connected with the purported organisation.

The panel said it received submissions from persons and organisations alleging that they were deceived, offered employment, promised contracts or investment opportunities, or induced to make payments upon the representation that the PFIPC was a legitimate federal institution.

It expressed particular concern over a company’s complaint alleging that Adeniyi Adeyemi induced it to make payments totalling approximately ₦400 million in four instalments.

The Committee’s findings showed that no valid Act of the National Assembly, gazetted enactment, Presidential Executive Order, administrative instrument or other lawful authority establishing an institution known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

“No competent authority of the Federal Government has produced any authentic record establishing that the organisation was created, approved or authorised by the President, Federal Executive Council, National Assembly, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation or any other institution empowered by law to establish such an agency,” it said.

The Committee further observed that the organisation operated under inconsistent descriptions, including the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

“These inconsistencies, when considered alongside the documentary evidence before the Committee, substantially undermine any assertion that the entity possessed lawful governmental status,” the panel said.

The Committee also said it examined a document purporting to convey Adeyemi’s appointment as Director-General of the organisation and established that the purported appointment letter was fabricated and falsely attributed to the Presidency.

It identified serious weaknesses within the administrative machinery of government, including the verification of the lawful existence of government institutions; the creation and administration of the budget and administrative codes; and the allocation of Federal Secretariat accommodation, among others.

The panel’s preliminary report declared that the PFIPC is not lawfully established as the documentary materials used to project its existence and authority contain substantial evidence of fabrication, forgery, mutilation, impersonation and unauthorised representation of institutions and public officers.

The Committee considered the allegations sufficiently serious to require the prompt conclusion of criminal and financial investigations.

It said that where sufficient admissible evidence is established, the appropriate agencies should institute criminal proceedings before courts of competent jurisdiction and pursue all lawful measures to trace, preserve, freeze, and recover proceeds or assets derived from established unlawful conduct.

The Committee reiterated that criminal guilt is determined only by a court of competent jurisdiction, and every person affected by these findings remains entitled to a fair hearing and all protections guaranteed by law.

It called for the verification and tracing of the alleged ₦400 million transaction; the determination of the ownership, allocation, and status of the property represented as the purported official residence; and the establishment of the full extent of Adeyemi’s connection with the identified associated entities, among others.

The committee preliminarily recommended that all ministries, departments and agencies immediately refrain from recognising, transacting with or extending any governmental privilege to the PFIPC or any related manifestation whose legal status has not been independently verified.

“No appropriation, administrative code, warrant, cash backing, financial release or governmental facility should be processed in favour of the purported organisation.

“Security and anti-corruption agencies should conclude their investigations and coordinate evidence in accordance with the law. All relevant documentary and electronic evidence, websites, devices, correspondence, properties, and institutional records should be protected from destruction, alteration, or interference.

“All public officers and institutions with outstanding invitations or requests from the Committee should comply fully with the lawful exercise of parliamentary investigative powers.

“Relevant security and anti-corruption agencies should intensify and conclude investigations concerning Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi and every person or entity materially connected with the alleged scheme.

‘The timely security and administrative interventions undertaken by the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, CFR, should be formally acknowledged,” it added.

The committee submitted that preliminary evidence demonstrated the danger posed when forged correspondence, fabricated Executive Orders, mutilated legislative instruments, fictitious public officers, and unauthorised use of government facilities are combined to create the appearance of lawful authority.

“…The Committee also places on record that the evidence presently available indicates that the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, CFR, responded to alerts brought to his attention by initiating security investigations and administrative verification.

“His documented actions are inconsistent with any suggestion that he authorised or endorsed the purported organisation. The Committee will complete the outstanding aspects of its investigation and submit its final report to the House of Representatives.

‘That report will contain definitive findings, identified institutional and individual responsibilities, and recommendations for appropriate legislative, administrative, disciplinary, civil, financial and prosecutorial action….”