Nigeria: ICPC Report - Atiku Demands Names of Villa Insiders Behind Fake Agency Scandal

Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the Presidency to disclose the names of individuals allegedly involved in the fake Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal. Atiku criticized the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) interim report as an indictment that raises more questions than answers.

The report acknowledged negligence and connivance within government processes that enabled the alleged fraud. Atiku highlighted instances of forged presidential appointment letters, creation of fictitious federal agencies, appropriation of offices and instruments of the former Presidential Economic Advisory Council, opening of bank accounts using forged legislative instruments, widespread impersonation, and establishment of two additional fictitious government agencies.

He questioned who connived, who were the negligent public officers, who granted access to government offices, who recognized the supposed Director General, and who enabled him to operate within the machinery of government. Atiku argued that a fake agency cannot operate without human involvement and demanded that the identities of those responsible be made public.

He emphasized that an interim report cannot be used as a presidential certificate of innocence while investigations into possible collaborators and associated bank accounts continue. Atiku urged the National Assembly to hold a live-broadcast public hearing into the scandal, stating that if the Villa (Presidential Complex) is truly clean, it should welcome such transparency.