PFIPC scandal: Four civil servants joined in ICPC case against Adeyemi

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has increased the charges against Adeniyi Adeyemi, alleged director-general of the fictitious Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), from 22 to 36, while adding four civil servants as defendants.

The new defendants are Patricia Akhigbe, Florence Omameh, Aminu Abdullahi and Ogaba Harry, who are reportedly attached to the offices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Accountant-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

At the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Monday, ICPC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, informed the court that the commission had filed an amended charge in the alleged forgery and impersonation case.

The matter was initially scheduled for the hearing of Adeyemi’s bail application. However, Tahir told the court that the arraignment of the five defendants could not proceed because Omameh was absent on health grounds.

He said the other defendants, including Adeyemi, were present and sought a short adjournment to enable the absent defendant to attend court.

The trial judge, Halilu Yusuf, granted the request and adjourned the case until November 18 for arraignment.

The latest development follows Adeyemi’s arraignment in October on a 22-count charge bordering on alleged forgery and impersonation.

He was initially arraigned on an eight-count charge on September 30, 2026, but the Federal High Court in Abuja struck out the case on October 12 after the Federal Government sought to discontinue the proceedings following a review by the Attorney-General of the Federation.

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The presiding judge, Mohammed Umar, struck out the charge after the government’s application. The ICPC subsequently filed a fresh 22-count charge against Adeyemi.

The commission alleges that Adeyemi operated the PFIPC as though it were a legitimate government agency, despite the council having no legal backing or presidential declaration.

The alleged fictitious council reportedly received an allocation in the 2026 budget, occupied office space at the Federal Secretariat and recruited staff.

Adeyemi had also alleged that Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, received N400 million through a proxy in connection with the issuance of his appointment letter.

The allegation against Gbajabiamila remains an assertion attributed to Adeyemi and has not been established by the court.

Adeyemi had pleaded not guilty to the earlier charges. The November 18 proceedings are expected to mark the arraignment of all five defendants on the amended charge.