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PFIPC: FEC Orders Forensic Probe Of Govt Processes, Internal Control Weaknesses
Government said the comprehensive forensic investigation would determine what went wrong, prevent a recurrence and strengthen governance systems.
FILE: President Bola Tinubu presides over the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa Abuja on November 14, 2024. Credit: State House/ @aonanuga1956
Following the investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) into the activities of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has ordered a comprehensive forensic investigation into government processes, procedures and internal control weaknesses that allowed such entities to exist.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this while speaking after a Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, saying investigations by the ICPC had uncovered additional fictitious bodies within the system.
He said the comprehensive forensic investigation would determine what went wrong, prevent a recurrence and strengthen governance systems.
As part of the effort, President Bola Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and other relevant agencies to work together to tackle the problem holistically, covering its administrative, accounting and governance dimensions.
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The review will extend to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), on the premise that where fake agencies exist, fake employees are likely to be found.
The minister warned that ghost workers and bogus institutions undermine the government’s ability to pay genuine civil servants better wages.
The PFIPC controversy arose after the self-acclaimed director-general of the disputed agency, Adeniyi Adeyemi, alleged during a press conference that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent from the agency’s ₦27.3 billion take-off grant.
Adeyemi also alleged that the Chief of Staff received ₦400 million through a proxy and requested an additional ₦200 million to facilitate presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila has denied the allegations in a statement on oath, maintaining that he had no personal, official or professional relationship with Adeyemi.
He also denied demanding or receiving any money, abusing his office or interfering with law enforcement agencies.
The Chief of Staff further denied any involvement in the alleged death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom Adeyemi claimed acted as an intermediary, as well as allegations linking him to an alleged assassination attempt on the defendant or interference with investigations by security agencies.
Following the allegations, President Bola Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the matter.
