ICPC re-arraigns ‘Phantom’ DG over alleged N30bn fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) re-arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi, a purported Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, on Thursday. He faced a 22-count charge involving forgery, impersonation, and fraud, including an alleged N30.8bn government funding request.

A Federal High Court judge dismissed eight counts against Adeyemi, after the federal government requested his transfer to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory for a new trial. However, Adeyemi pleaded not guilty to all charges. Prosecutors claimed he forged official government documents to portray the nonexistent council as legitimate, secure government recognition and office facilities, and acquire millions of naira in public funds.

They alleged that Adeyemi used forged documents purportedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President to establish his claimed position. These documents included one purportedly appointing him as director-general and another requesting approval for the council's self-accounting status. The prosecution also accused him of bribing an Assistant Chief Technical Officer for office space allocation without official authorization.