ABUJA, Nigeria — In a significant move against corruption, Nigerian authorities have apprehended Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the self-styled director general of the fictitious “Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council “(PFIPC).
The arrest, following a warrant issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja, came after Matthew evaded justice for weeks. Operating from within the presidency’s office, Matthew had claimed to be the head of an agency established to attract foreign investment to Nigeria. His fraudulent activities were uncovered when the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) detected the existence of another entity seemingly performing similar functions.
The PFIPC, which had managed to secure office space within the Federal Secretariat and accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria, was allocated a budget of 1.
However, it is reported that the agency never actually operated a central bank account or received public funds.
A forensic examination confirmed that the letter appointing Matthew to the position, including the forged signature of President Bola Tinubu’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, was fraudulent. Despite this, the agency had been listed in Nigeria’s budget and was far from invisible. Matthew’s absence at a hearing on forgery and impersonation charges led to the issuance of a warrant.
He was eventually captured in Osun State, southwestern Nigeria.
The scandal has spurred calls for an independent investigation from civil society groups, opposition politicians, and senior lawyers, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s government institutions.
The Nigerian Presidency has denied the existence of the PFIPC, describing it as a fictitious entity.
The case underscores the challenges Nigeria faces in maintaining the integrity of its government institutions and ensuring the proper use of public funds.
As the investigation continues, the swift action by Nigerian police in apprehending Matthew signals a commitment to tackling corruption at all levels of government.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: Rédaction Africanews
