ICPC Probe: Atiku Demands Names of Officials Linked to PFIPC Scandal

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has rejected the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission’s interim findings on the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council scandal, arguing that the report leaves major questions unanswered.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, made his position known on Friday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu. He questioned the suggestion that the incident was the work of an individual, insisting that the alleged activities could not have taken place without assistance or lapses within government institutions.

The ICPC had reported that Adeniyi Matthew Adeyemi, who presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, was never legally appointed to the position and that the agency itself was not established by law or executive order. The commission also said the appointment document presented by Adeyemi was forged.

The investigation further found that the alleged fake agency occupied offices and facilities previously used by the Presidential Economic Advisory Council. It also uncovered two other entities described as fictitious government agencies, which were allegedly created with forged legislative documents and used to facilitate the opening of bank accounts.

Atiku argued that the findings raised questions about how Adeyemi was able to gain access to government facilities and operate for some time without being stopped.

He said the reported recommendation for administrative sanctions against public officials who assisted the operation showed that there were people within government structures whose actions or negligence contributed to the situation.

The former vice president therefore called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to identify the officials involved and explain how the alleged fake agency was able to gain recognition and access to government processes.

Atiku questioned who allowed Adeyemi into government offices, who recognised him as a government official and who enabled the use of official facilities and documents in the alleged scheme.

He maintained that a person could not independently create a fake government institution, obtain access to official premises and establish bank accounts using purported government documents without some level of institutional failure or assistance.

The ADC candidate also rejected any attempt to treat Adeyemi as a lone operator, arguing that such a position would fail to address the wider issues raised by the investigation.

He further accused the Presidency of failing to fully explain the alleged involvement of public officials and called for their identities to be made public if the government had evidence linking them to the incident.

Atiku also supported calls for an independent investigation and urged the National Assembly to conduct a public hearing into the matter.

He said Adeyemi should be given the opportunity to appear before lawmakers, testify under oath and respond to questions concerning the activities of the alleged fake agency.

The former vice president called for the proceedings to be broadcast live, saying Nigerians should be allowed to hear the evidence and testimonies directly rather than relying only on official statements.

He argued that public disclosure was necessary to establish whether the alleged operation involved only Adeyemi or whether other individuals within government institutions played a role.

Atiku also demanded the release of the full ICPC investigation report and the identities of public officials found responsible for negligence or any form of assistance to the alleged operation.

He warned that failure to provide clear answers could increase public suspicion that influential individuals were being protected.

According to him, the investigation should not stop at identifying the person accused of creating the fake agency but should also establish how he gained access to government offices, interacted with officials and carried out activities without being detected earlier.

Atiku insisted that accountability must extend to every person found to have facilitated or enabled the alleged activities, regardless of their position within government.

He therefore urged the Presidency and the National Assembly to allow a transparent process in which witnesses could testify publicly and relevant documents could be examined.

The former vice president maintained that the controversy would only be resolved when Nigerians are given clear answers about who helped the alleged fake agency gain access to government structures and operate within them.