New Documents Challenge Claims About PFIPC’s Existence
Recent documents have raised significant questions regarding the presidential administration’s assertion that the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) never existed. Reports from Saturday Punch indicate that the Office of the Secretary of State to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) had received, approved, and processed official communications linked to the council months prior to the president declaring it fictitious.
Documentation Supporting PFIPC’s Operations
The materials reveal a letter in which the OSGF forwarded a request from Adeniyi Adeyemi, the council’s self-proclaimed Executive Secretary, for office space in federal properties managed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This forwarding letter, dated November 21, 2024, was signed by Mr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbayeli, the Permanent Secretary of the Department of General Services, on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Timeline of Requests and Correspondence
Attached to this letter was Mr. Adeyemi’s earlier correspondence from November 7, 2024, which requested provision for office space for the Presidential Council for the Promotion of Foreign Investment. Registry stamps indicate that Adeyemi’s request was received by the OSGF on November 12 and subsequently forwarded to the EFCC within nine days.
Official Communication With Anti-Corruption Authorities
In the letter titled “Request for Office Accommodation,” the SGF informed anti-corruption authorities that three government agencies had sought office space in recovered federal assets. Among these applications was one documented as reference number SH/DG/PFIPC/RQ/107, submitted by Adeyemi on November 7, 2024. The communication instructed EFCC to take necessary action regarding the request.
Self-Portrayal of PFIPC in Investment Promotion
In his accompanying request, Mr. Adeyemi depicted the PFIPC as a federal agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment to Nigeria. He described the council as a “resource and coordination center for foreign investment promotion activities,” designed to streamline investment-related efforts across multiple ministries while reinforcing Nigeria’s status as a preferred investment destination.
Allegations of Fraud Surrounding PFIPC
The emergence of these documents coincides with ongoing legal proceedings against Adeyemi, who faces allegations of operating a fictitious government agency. The Office of the President has accused him of forging a presidential appointment letter, misrepresenting himself as PFIPC Director-General, and conducting official meetings while falsely presented as a legitimate agency.
Contradictory Statements From the Presidential Office
A recent statement from the Special Assistant to the President on Intelligence and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, asserted that the PFIPC was nonexistent. He indicated that police investigations found evidence of forgery and misrepresentation. However, the newly surfaced documents suggest that official communications were indeed processed in the council’s name well before the administration publicly discredited the organization, prompting scrutiny into the interactions between the alleged organization and government institutions.
