FILE: President Bola Tinubu presides over the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa Abuja on November 14, 2024. Credit: State House/ @aonanuga1956
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has ordered a comprehensive forensic investigation into government processes, procedures and internal control weaknesses following the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission’s (ICPC) probe into the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists after the FEC meeting.
Oyedele said the ICPC investigation had uncovered other fictitious bodies operating within the government system, prompting the council to order a broader review of the processes that allowed such entities to exist.
According to him, the forensic investigation will establish what went wrong, prevent similar occurrences and strengthen the government’s governance and control systems.
As part of the measures, 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 address the issue comprehensively, including its administrative, accounting and governance implications.
The review will also cover the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), with the minister noting that the existence of fake agencies could potentially facilitate the presence of ghost workers.
Oyedele warned that ghost workers and fictitious institutions undermine the government’s ability to improve the salaries and welfare of genuine civil servants.
The PFIPC controversy emerged after the self-acclaimed Director-General of the disputed organisation, Adeniyi Adeyemi, alleged at a press conference that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, demanded 48 per cent of the agency’s ₦27.3 billion take-off grant.
Adeyemi further alleged that Gbajabiamila 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, saying he had no personal, official or professional relationship with Adeyemi.
He also denied demanding or receiving money from the purported agency, abusing his office or interfering with law enforcement agencies.
