For years, one man spearheaded a Nigerian government agency that didn't exist
The Nigerian government has opened investigations into two government agencies after they were both found to be fake.
The Nigerian Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) appeared to be a legitimate government agency on paper, with funding, an office in Abuja, and a government-approved website. However, it later emerged that the agency did not officially exist. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who claimed to be the Director-General of PFIPC, had met with government officials and even received a director-general appointment letter from President Femi Gbajabiamila, who denied knowing him.
The Nigerian presidency accused Adeyemi of misleading the country's accountant-general’s office into opening 34 bank accounts for PFIPC, but no government money was transferred to any of these accounts. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) investigated and found that Adeyemi was never officially appointed to any government role and should be prosecuted.
The investigation also revealed another fake agency, the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office (NBDMNSPO), spearheaded by George Buchi Nwabueze, who allegedly used four variations of his name while running the illegal operation. Nwabueze was charged with eight offenses, including forgery and impersonation, and has been arrested.
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