The director-general of a controversial, non-existent government agency is set to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, accused of running a sprawling administrative fraud.
Adeniyi Adeyemi, the head of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), faces an eight-count charge alongside two others, bordering on forgery, impersonation, and related offences.
Before his arrest, Mr. Adeyemi allegedly managed to operate the fictitious agency right under the nose of the government, occupying an office on the second floor of the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja.
The operational scale of the alleged scam prompted President Bola Tinubu to order a thorough 30-day investigation by the country’s anti-graft agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
A scheduled plea hearing on June 16 was adjourned by Justice Mohammed Umar after Mr Adeyemi was reported to be unwell.
High-profile witnesses called
Court documents filed by police prosecutor Wisdom Madaki reveal a star-studded witness list assembled to dismantle the operation. Among those set to testify is the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The prosecution has also listed civil servants from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, an Abuja hotel owner, a local Anglican pastor, and several unwitting workers who had been officially deployed to work under Mr. Adeyemi at the fake council.
Audacious paper trail
The evidence due to be tendered by the police paints a picture of an incredibly audacious bureaucratic deception. Key documents include:
- A forged appointment letter: A fake presidential document dated March 8, 2024, which Mr. Adeyemi allegedly used to establish his authority.
- Central Bank approvals: Alleged unauthorized approvals obtained by the suspect to open bank accounts directly with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
- Foreign Ministry requests: Official diplomatic correspondence, including a request for a ‘note verbale’ sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- National land grab: A formal letter sent by the fictitious council seeking collaboration to acquire land and office spaces across all 36 states of Nigeria.
The prosecution, which has also submitted comprehensive witness statements and photographic evidence, stated it remains open to calling additional witnesses as the trial gets underway.
Add Comment