The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has cleared Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, of any involvement in the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The anti-graft agency also concluded that the appointment letter presented by Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, who claimed to be the Director-General of the council, was completely forged.
The findings were disclosed on Wednesday by ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN) while presenting the Commission’s interim investigation report in Abuja, exactly 30 days after President Tinubu directed the agency to investigate the activities of the purported government body.
Aliyu said the report had already been submitted to the President, who instructed the Commission to make its findings public in the interest of transparency and accountability.
“I have just submitted the interim report and briefed Mr. President accordingly. The President took the right decision in the spirit of transparency and accountability and directed me to address the media for the benefit of Nigerians,” Aliyu said.
According to the ICPC chairman, investigations established that Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew was never appointed by the Federal Government or any recognised government institution.
He also revealed that the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC)—also known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council—was never established by any law, executive order or any valid instrument of government.
Aliyu disclosed that investigators confirmed the appointment letter presented by Adeyemi, along with several other official documents used to operate the fake agency, were entirely forged.
“The appointment letter presented by Mr. Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew was completely forged, alongside similar documents used to perpetrate the illegal activities of the fake agency,” he stated.
The investigation further revealed that the operators of the fake council unlawfully appropriated the identity, offices and operational structures of the defunct Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC).
The ICPC alleged that Adeyemi engaged in false representation, impersonation and other unlawful activities while presenting himself as the Director-General of the non-existent agency.
Although investigators identified weaknesses in verification procedures and inter-agency oversight that may have enabled the activities of the fake organisation, the Commission maintained that there were no weaknesses in the internal systems of the State House or the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Aliyu described the procedures of both institutions as “above board.”
The Commission also stated that its investigation found no evidence that public funds were approved or disbursed to either the fake PFIPC or the former Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
The findings effectively clear Femi Gbajabiamila of any wrongdoing after his office came under public scrutiny following claims surrounding the alleged appointment.
However, the ICPC said investigations into other aspects of the case remain ongoing as it continues to examine the activities of Adeyemi Mathew and other individuals linked to the alleged fraud.
