ICPC Names Civil Servants Involved in Fake Agency Scandal

Nigeria's anti-corruption agency, the ICPC, has identified top civil servants implicated in a scandal involving a disowned government agency, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). The agency, led by Adeniyi Adeyemi, allegedly operated with the assistance of officials who helped it penetrate government structures, obtain approvals, and access financial systems, despite lacking legal basis.

The ICPC's interim report details how Mr. Adeyemi sought formal recognition starting in November 2024, applying to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) for an administrative code and self-accounting status. These applications were supported by forged documents, including an appointment letter and a letter on State House letterhead, allegedly signed by a non-existent individual named Akanbi Adewale. Forensic analysis confirmed Mr. Adeyemi himself forged the signature.

Despite these significant irregularities, the OAGF granted the PFIPC self-accounting status and an administrative code on May 27, 2025. This enabled the fake agency to be included in the 2026 federal budget and gain access to government financial management systems, including the creation of a Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) platform and a Sub-Treasury Account. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) later stated that domiciliary accounts requested by the PFIPC were never activated due to a failure to provide authorized signatories.

The investigation, initiated by President Bola Tinubu after the presidency disowned the organization, highlights the extent to which the PFIPC, despite its dubious legitimacy, managed to infiltrate government processes. Correspondence from the organization was treated as official, leading to its inclusion in the federal budget and access to sensitive financial mechanisms. The ICPC is specifically examining the roles of three civil servants, including Rose Achem, in securing an establishment and recruitment waiver for the PFIPC, further underscoring the alleged complicity within the civil service.