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The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a comprehensive forensic investigation into government processes and internal controls following findings by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that uncovered additional fictitious entities within the system.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this on Wednesday after the FEC meeting, saying the investigation would establish how such bodies were able to operate within the government structure.
Oyedele said the review would identify weaknesses in existing administrative, accounting and governance systems, while recommending measures to prevent similar occurrences.
“The comprehensive forensic investigation would determine what went wrong, prevent a recurrence and strengthen governance systems,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu has consequently directed the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and other relevant government institutions to work together on the review.
The minister said the investigation would cover multiple aspects of government operations rather than focusing solely on the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The review will also examine the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), particularly because the existence of fictitious agencies could potentially create room for the registration of non-existent employees.
Oyedele warned that ghost workers and bogus government institutions could undermine efforts to improve the remuneration of legitimate civil servants by diverting public resources.
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The development follows an investigation into the activities of the PFIPC, a body whose existence and status have come under scrutiny.
The controversy escalated after Adeniyi Adeyemi, who described himself as the council’s director-general, made allegations involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and a purported ₦27.3 billion take-off grant.
Adeyemi alleged that Gbajabiamila demanded a 48 per cent share of the grant and claimed that ₦400 million was allegedly paid to the Chief of Staff through a proxy, with another ₦200 million allegedly requested to facilitate presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila has denied the allegations in a statement on oath, saying he had no personal, official or professional relationship with Adeyemi.
The Chief of Staff also denied demanding or receiving money, abusing his office or interfering with law enforcement investigations.
He further rejected allegations connecting him to the alleged death of Babatunde Tanimola, whom Adeyemi described as an intermediary, as well as claims of involvement in an alleged assassination attempt or interference with investigations by security agencies.
Following the allegations, President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the matter.
The latest FEC decision expands the scope of the response, with the government seeking to identify and address systemic weaknesses that could allow fictitious agencies, personnel or other entities to exist within the public service.
