Fake Appointment Letter, Billions Of Naira: ICPC Uncovers Alleged Fraud Scheme

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Adeyemi Adeniyi, who allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja over 22 charges bordering on alleged forgery, impersonation and fraud.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the defendant appeared before Justice Yusuf Halilu at the court in Maitama on Thursday to answer allegations that he fraudulently obtained approximately ₦30.8 billion by using forged documents to secure government recognition and funding for a purported agency.

The ICPC alleged that Adeniyi obtained more than ₦27 billion purportedly for establishing the council and an additional ₦3.8 billion for staff-related expenses. The commission claimed that the funds were secured through a forged letter addressed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

According to the prosecution, Adeniyi allegedly forged an appointment letter dated March 8, 2024, purportedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, appointing him as the director-general of the council, which the commission described as non-existent.

The agency further alleged that the defendant used the document to obtain official recognition and secure office space at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, in Abuja.

The ICPC also accused Adeniyi of forging a request to the Accountant-General of the Federation seeking self-accounting status for the purported agency, as well as another letter to the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) requesting a government domain name.

In addition, the commission alleged that the defendant paid ₦210,000 to Aminu Abdullahi, an official in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to secure office accommodation. He was also accused of paying ₦300,000 to Ogaba Harry, an officer in the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the President, in connection with the release of a Prado Jeep and a Land Cruiser.

In another allegation, the defendant was accused of obtaining ₦20 million on July 29, 2025, from Oyekunle Gbenga, managing director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited. The prosecution described the payment as a purported project facilitation loan connected to an alleged ₦2.8 billion contract for furnishing and renovating an official residence.

The commission said the alleged offences occurred between 2024 and 2026 and contravened provisions of the Penal Code, the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Following the defendant’s plea, the prosecution counsel, Fatima Bardi, requested a date for the commencement of the trial.

However, defence counsel Ibrahim Angulu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, urged the court to grant his client bail, arguing that Adeniyi had spent 155 days in detention and was experiencing deteriorating health.

Angulu told the court that a medical report from the police clinic where his client had been receiving treatment indicated that his condition was worsening.

In response, Justice Halilu directed the defence to file a formal written bail application for consideration. The court subsequently fixed November 9 for the commencement of the trial and possible hearing of the bail application.V