Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has recommended the immediate prosecution of Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew over the alleged creation and operation of a fake Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after presenting the commission’s interim investigation report to President Bola Tinubu.
Adamu said the investigation established that Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government and that the purported PFIPC was not created by any law, executive order or valid government instrument.
He said the purported council also appeared in some documents as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
The ICPC chairman said the investigation had established that documents allegedly used by Adeyemi to support his purported appointment were forged.
The findings also indicated that the signature of Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, appearing on appointment letters allegedly presented by Adeyemi was forged.
Gbajabiamila had voluntarily honoured an invitation by the ICPC during the investigation and provided a statement to investigators, according to the findings.
The commission said its forensic examination of the documents confirmed that the signature attributed to the Chief of Staff was not genuine.
The development effectively exonerates Gbajabiamila from allegations of involvement in Adeyemi’s purported appointment, based on the findings presented by the ICPC.
Adamu said the investigation was still being finalised in some areas, but the commission had recommended the prosecution of Adeyemi over the alleged offences uncovered.
He said the investigation was aimed at establishing how the purported agency operated and identifying individuals who may have facilitated or collaborated with its activities.
The ICPC had earlier disclosed that the investigation uncovered additional purported government agencies allegedly linked to the activities of Adeyemi.
The commission said the findings would guide further prosecution and administrative action against any public officials found to have assisted the alleged illegal operation.
Adamu stressed that the PFIPC had no legal foundation and that Adeyemi had no authority to present himself as an official of the Federal Government or operate in the name of a purported presidential council.
n, Forensic Test Clears Gbajabiamila
