Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has rejected the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) interim report on the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) fraud, insisting that the findings raise more questions than they answer.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku accused the Presidency of attempting to portray the report as an exoneration despite findings that, according to him, pointed to negligence and possible connivance within government processes.
Atiku said the report reportedly found that an individual allegedly forged a presidential appointment letter, established a fictitious federal agency, took over offices and instruments previously linked to the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and opened bank accounts using forged legislative documents.
He questioned how the alleged activities could have taken place without the involvement, cooperation or negligence of government officials.
“If there was connivance, who connived? If public officers were negligent, who are they? Who granted access to government offices? Who recognised this supposed Director-General? Who enabled him to operate within the machinery of government?” Atiku asked.
The ADC candidate argued that recommendations for sanctions against public officials whose alleged negligence facilitated the activities contradicted any attempt to portray the controversy as solely the work of an impostor.
He demanded that the government identify the officials who allegedly provided access to government offices and official instruments, insisting that Nigerians have a right to know how the alleged fraud was enabled.
Atiku also called for the establishment of an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the controversy and determine the identities and roles of any alleged insiders.
He further urged the National Assembly to conduct an open and live-broadcast investigation, particularly after the central figure in the controversy, Mr Adeyemi, reportedly indicated his willingness to testify before lawmakers.
“The National Assembly should immediately institute an open, live-broadcast public hearing into this scandal,” Atiku said.
He challenged the Presidency to support such proceedings if it had nothing to hide, arguing that witnesses should testify under oath and relevant evidence should be presented publicly.
According to him, anything short of a transparent investigation could fuel suspicions that influential individuals or government officials were being protected.
Atiku also demanded the publication of the full ICPC report and the names of all public officials found culpable, maintaining that the Presidency should not investigate itself and subsequently declare itself innocent.
“Transparency cannot stop where the trail enters the corridors of power,” he said.
He concluded by demanding answers over the alleged involvement of insiders, asking: “Who inside the Villa opened the door?”
