ICPC Re-Arraigns ‘Fake’ Council DG Adeyemi Over Alleged N30.8bn Fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has re-arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly posed as Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, over an alleged N30.8bn fraud.

Adeyemi appeared before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday to face 22 amended counts bordering on forgery, impersonation and fraud.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The commission alleged that Adeyemi forged official government documents to present the purported council as a legitimate agency and secure public funds, office accommodation and other government facilities.

According to the amended charges, he allegedly requested more than N27bn as a take-off grant for the council and another N3.8bn for personnel costs.

The prosecution accused him of using forged documents purportedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to support his claim to head the council.

One of the counts alleged that Adeyemi forged an appointment letter bearing reference number SH/COS/209/A/3456 and dated March 8, 2024.

The prosecution said he prepared the document to make it appear genuine and secure office accommodation at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja.

Another count accused him of forging a letter to the Accountant-General of the Federation, titled “Request for Approval of Self-Accounting Status”.

The ICPC alleged that the document was intended to enable the purported council to operate within the government’s financial reporting structure.

It also accused Adeyemi of forging correspondence to the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency to obtain a domain name for the alleged agency.

The charges further accused him of offering N210,000 to Aminu Abdullahi, an Assistant Chief Technical Officer in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The prosecution alleged that Adeyemi made the offer to facilitate the allocation of office space without official authorisation.

In another count, the commission accused him of offering N300,000 to Ogaba Harry, an official in the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the President.

It alleged that the money was intended to facilitate the release of two government vehicles, a Prado SUV and a Land Cruiser SUV.

The ICPC also accused Adeyemi of obtaining N20m from Oyekunle Gbenga, Managing Director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, under the pretence of a project facilitation loan.

According to the prosecution, the money related to a purported N2.8bn contract for furniture, electronics and the refurbishment of the council director-general’s official residence.

The commission said the alleged offences occurred between 2024 and 2026. It cited provisions of the Penal Code, the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

After Adeyemi entered his plea, prosecution counsel, Fatima Bardi, asked the court to fix a date for trial.

However, defence counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, made an oral bail application, citing his client’s prolonged detention and health concerns.

Angulu told the court that Adeyemi had spent 155 days in detention and obtained a medical report from the police clinic where he had received treatment.

Justice Halilu Yusuf directed the defence counsel to file a formal bail application.

The judge adjourned the case to November 9 for the commencement of trial and possible hearing of the bail application.

The re-arraignment followed the withdrawal of earlier charges by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, on October 12 for amendment and refiling.

Adeyemi had earlier appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 30 to answer an eight-count charge involving alleged forgery and impersonation.

The case followed a petition by Gbajabiamila to the Inspector-General of Police and the State Security Service over the purported council and Adeyemi’s claim to lead it.

Police investigations reportedly uncovered correspondence between the alleged agency and several ministries, departments and agencies.

Investigators also traced 34 bank accounts allegedly linked to the operation, including nine opened in the names of purported government agencies.

In July, President Bola Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the council’s activities. The Presidency said the Federal Government had never established the body and that it had no legal basis.

The investigation was expected to examine the alleged use of forged documents, the opening and operation of related bank accounts, the movement of funds and possible involvement of public officers or other individuals.

Adeyemi has denied the allegations. The prosecution will have to establish its case in court.