The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has re-arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly impersonated the director-general of a non-existent presidential council, on 22 charges involving forgery, impersonation, and fraud over a purported N30.8bn government funding request. Adeyemi was re-arraigned before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, where he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
According to the ICPC, Adeyemi forged official documents to give the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council the appearance of a legitimate government agency and secure public funds, office accommodation, and other official benefits. The commission alleged that he sought more than N27bn as a take-off grant for the purported council and an additional N3.8bn to cover personnel costs.
The prosecution alleged that Adeyemi used forged documents purportedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to support his claim to the position of director-general. One of the charges accused Adeyemi of forging a letter dated March 8, 2024, with reference number SH/COS/209/A/3456, purportedly appointing him to head the council.
The ICPC also accused Adeyemi of forging a letter addressed to the Accountant-General of the Federation, with the caption, “RE: REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF SELF-ACCOUNTING STATUS”. The alleged forgery was intended to enable the purported council to operate within the Federal Government’s financial reporting framework.
Adeyemi was also accused of offering N210,000 to Aminu Abdullahi, an assistant chief technical officer in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to facilitate the allocation of office accommodation without official authorisation. He was also accused of offering N300,000 to Ogaba Harry, an official in the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the President, to facilitate the release of two official vehicles.
In a separate allegation, the ICPC claimed that Adeyemi obtained N20m from Oyekunle Gbenga, managing director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, under the guise of a project facilitation loan. The commission linked the alleged payment to a purported N2.8bn contract said to have been awarded by the council for furniture and electronics procurement and the renovation of the director-general’s official residence.
The case was adjourned until November 9 for the commencement of trial and possible consideration of Adeyemi’s bail application. The allegations have yet to be proved in court, and Adeyemi has denied all the charges against him by pleading not guilty.
Key points
- The ICPC re-arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi on 22 charges involving forgery, impersonation, and N30.8bn fraud.
- Adeyemi allegedly impersonated the director-general of a non-existent presidential council and forged official documents to secure public funds and benefits.
- The case was adjourned until November 9 for the commencement of trial and possible consideration of Adeyemi’s bail application.
