The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has cleared the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of any involvement in the controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, declaring that the appointment letter presented by Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew was forged.
The Chairman of the commission, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), disclosed the findings on Wednesday while presenting an interim report in Abuja, 30 days after President Bola Tinubu directed the anti-graft agency to investigate the alleged activities of the council.
Aliyu said the report had already been submitted to the President.
“I have just submitted the interim report and briefed Mr President accordingly. The President took the right decision in the spirit of transparency and accountability and directed me to address the media for the benefit of Nigerians,” he said.
According to the commission, investigators established that Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government or any authorised institution.
The ICPC also determined that the so-called Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, sometimes referred to as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, was never established through any law, executive order or other legitimate government instrument.
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Aliyu said investigations revealed that the appointment letter and other official documents used by the suspect were entirely fabricated.
“The appointment letter presented by Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew was completely forged, alongside similar documents used to perpetrate the illegal activities of the fake agency,” he said.
The commission further stated that the group had unlawfully adopted the identity, office structure and operational framework of the former Presidential Economic Advisory Council, while Adeyemi falsely presented himself as its Director-General.
Aliyu added that investigators uncovered weaknesses in verification procedures, inter-agency coordination and oversight mechanisms, which were allegedly exploited through negligence and collusion.
However, the commission said no irregularities were discovered within the internal systems of the State House or the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The ICPC also stated that no evidence was found indicating that public funds were approved or disbursed to either the fake council or the former Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
The findings effectively clear Gbajabiamila of any wrongdoing, while investigations into other aspects of the matter are expected to continue.