Businessman paid N400 million after being scammed, rep tells House committee

Gbenga Collins, Managing Director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, has detailed how he allegedly lost N400 million to Adeniyi Adeyemi, who presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Collins testified before a House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the PFIPC, stating he paid the sum after being promised a contract to renovate and furnish what was claimed to be Adeyemi's official residence. He was convinced of Adeyemi's legitimacy due to his operations from an office in the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, the presence of security personnel, official vehicles with government plates, and meetings in what appeared to be an authentic government office.

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When I arrived at the airport, he sent an official car to come and pick me up from the airport to his office at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.

Collins, who met Adeyemi in December 2024 in their hometown, Ogbomoso, was later invited to Abuja in early 2025. He recounted being picked up from the airport by an official car with a Federal Government registration number and taken to Adeyemi's office, where he observed police officers and other dignitaries. Adeyemi introduced himself as the Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the PFIPC.

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I saw police officers with him. That was my first time coming to Abuja because I’m not familiar with Abuja very well. He sent his official car to pick me up from the airport. It had a Federal Government registration number attached to the Lexus SUV.

Adeyemi allegedly showed Collins a property, proposing his company handle its refurbishment and renovation. Following discussions, Collins stated that in April 2025, Adeyemi provided a contract award letter, scope of work, and an agreement between the purported council and his company.

Collins' testimony highlights the elaborate measures allegedly employed by Adeyemi to create a facade of legitimacy, exploiting Collins' unfamiliarity with Abuja and the perceived authenticity of government operations.

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He told me that he wanted to do refurbishment and renovation of the official house assigned to him as the DG of that agency and asked whether I would be able to handle the contract.