ICPC clears Gbajabiamila in fake agency scandal, cites forgery

Nigeria's Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has concluded its investigation into a scandal involving a fake federal agency, finding no evidence to link President Bola Tinubu's Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to the matter. The agency stated that Adeniyi Adeyemi, who presented himself as the director-general of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), personally forged an appointment letter.

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Mr Adeyemi personally forged an appointment letter dated March 2024 on a fake State House letterhead and attributed the signature on the document to Mr Gbajabiamila.

According to the ICPC's findings, Adeyemi used a fake State House letterhead and falsely attributed Gbajabiamila's signature to the document. The investigation revealed no direct engagement between Adeyemi and the Chief of Staff's office, nor any link between Gbajabiamila, his office, or the State House and Adeyemi or the purported PFIPC.

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there was no evidence linking Mr Gbajabiamila, the Office of the Chief of Staff or the State House to Mr Adeyemi, the PFIPC or anyone acting on behalf of the purported council.

The scandal highlighted significant vulnerabilities in the verification procedures of various public institutions. The PFIPC, which lacked any legal basis, had managed to secure office space, government recognition, and Central Bank of Nigeria accounts. The ICPC's report, submitted to President Tinubu, recommended Adeyemi's prosecution for forgery, impersonation, and related offenses.

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Mr Adeyemi was never appointed by the federal government and that the PFIPC was not established by any law, executive order or other valid government instrument.