The ICPC says Femi Gbajabiamila was not involved in the alleged PFIPC appointment controversy after finding that Adeniyi Adeyemi’s appointment letter was forged.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has cleared President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, of wrongdoing in connection with the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.
The ICPC said its investigation established that Adeniyi Matthew Adeyemi, who presented himself as the Director-General of the purported council, was never appointed by the Federal Government.
The commission also said the appointment letter presented by Adeyemi was forged.
PFIPC FOUND TO BE FICTITIOUS
According to the ICPC, the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council was never established by any law, executive order or other valid government instrument.
The anti-corruption commission said investigators found that the organisation used forged documents and other fabricated legal instruments to create the impression that it was a legitimate government agency.
The investigation followed allegations that Adeyemi paid ₦400 million to Gbajabiamila in connection with his purported appointment.
GBAJABIAMILA CLEARED
The ICPC’s findings effectively contradicted Adeyemi’s claim that he was legitimately appointed to head the organisation.
The commission said there was no valid government appointment backing Adeyemi’s position and that the document allegedly supporting his appointment was forged.
The development clears Gbajabiamila of the alleged appointment transaction based on the commission’s findings.
Gbajabiamila had previously denied Adeyemi’s allegations and instituted a defamation action over the claims.
ICPC RECOMMENDS FURTHER ACTION
The commission said its investigation uncovered a wider pattern of alleged impersonation, false representation and the use of fabricated government documents.
It also alleged that Adeyemi unlawfully took over offices previously occupied by the Presidential Economic Advisory Council after gaining access to the premises.
The ICPC is now recommending further legal action against those allegedly responsible for the fake agency and related activities.
The findings add a significant new dimension to the PFIPC controversy, which has already triggered investigations by the ICPC and the House of Representatives.