By Seyi Odewale
The Federal Executive Council has ordered a comprehensive forensic investigation into government processes and internal controls following the discovery of fictitious entities operating within the system.
The decision followed investigations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission into the activities of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, with the probe reportedly revealing the existence of other questionable bodies.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council meeting, saying the exercise would establish how such entities emerged and operated within government structures.
Oyedele said the investigation would focus on identifying institutional and procedural failures, plugging loopholes, and introducing measures to prevent similar occurrences.
He said President Bola Tinubu had directed the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and other relevant government institutions to conduct the review jointly, covering administrative, financial and governance processes.
The minister said the investigation would also examine the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, noting that the discovery of fictitious agencies raised concerns about the possible existence of fictitious employees on government payroll.
He warned that ghost workers and non-existent institutions could further strain public finances and undermine efforts to improve remuneration for legitimate civil servants.
The PFIPC controversy emerged after the purported Director-General of the body, Adeniyi Adeyemi, alleged that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, received an N27.3 billion take-off grant.
Adeyemi alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the proposed grant and further claimed that N400 million was allegedly transferred to the Chief of Staff through a proxy, with another N200 million allegedly requested to facilitate presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila has denied the allegations under oath, saying he had neither personal nor official dealings with Adeyemi and never demanded or received money from him.
The Chief of Staff also rejected allegations of abusing his office or interfering with law enforcement agencies.
He further denied any involvement in the alleged death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom Adeyemi identified as an intermediary, as well as claims concerning an alleged assassination attempt and interference with ongoing investigations.
Following the allegations, President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the matter.
