Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called for a live public hearing into the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal, insisting that the Presidency must identify officials allegedly linked to the controversy.
Atiku’s reaction follows the release of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)’s interim report, which he argued raises critical questions about the role of public officials in the alleged operation of the fictitious agency.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the Presidency cannot present the report as an exoneration when it reportedly acknowledges “negligence and connivance” within government processes that enabled the alleged fraud.
According to the findings, one individual allegedly forged a presidential appointment letter, created a fictitious federal agency, appropriated offices and instruments of the former Presidential Economic Advisory Council, opened bank accounts using forged legislative instruments, engaged in widespread impersonation, and established two additional fictitious government agencies.
Questioning how the alleged scheme operated within government circles, Atiku said:
“If there was connivance, who connived? If public officers were negligent, who are they? Who granted access to government offices? Who recognised this supposed Director General? Who enabled him to operate within the machinery of government?”
He argued that the ICPC’s recommendation of sanctions against public officers whose negligence allegedly facilitated the operation undermines any suggestion that the incident was the work of a lone individual.
“A fake agency does not walk into government offices by itself. A forged appointment letter does not validate itself. Bank accounts do not open themselves. Behind every door that opened, every process that was bypassed, and every official instrument that was accessed was a human being. Name them.
“What the ICPC interim report has done, in the main, is to shield the identities of shadow operatives within the Presidency who allegedly connived to enable the fraud. Their identities should be made public and their roles fully explained. Nigerians deserve to know who did what, who authorised what, and who opened the doors that made this possible,” he said.
Atiku further maintained that the ongoing investigation means the Presidency cannot treat the interim report as a final clearance while inquiries into possible collaborators and related bank accounts are still underway.
He also pointed to the challenge reportedly issued by the central figure in the case, Mr Adeyemi, who has requested to appear before a National Assembly investigation in a session broadcast live across the country.
“The Presidency now has nowhere left to hide. If Mr Adeyemi is prepared to appear publicly, testify under oath, and answer questions before Nigerians, then let him be heard. The National Assembly should immediately institute an open, live-broadcast public hearing into this scandal.”
According to Atiku, anything short of a transparent public hearing would only fuel suspicions that influential figures are being shielded.
He called for the release of the full ICPC report and the publication of the identities of every public official found culpable, insisting that only an independent and transparent process can restore public confidence.
“Transparency cannot stop where the trail enters the corridors of power. The Presidency cannot investigate itself into innocence.
“Open the investigation. Put the witnesses under oath. Switch on the cameras. Let Nigerians hear the truth for themselves. The question remains: who inside the Villa opened the door?” he asked.
