The accounts, according to the House Ad Hoc Committee investigating the matter, include personal, corporate and foundation accounts, with more than 30 reportedly bearing the names of about nine organisations allegedly associated with Adeyemi.
Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the panel’s preliminary findings.
He said financial and investigative records obtained by the committee showed that Adeyemi’s Bank Verification Number and other identifying information were connected to several accounts operated by different entities.
The committee is currently examining the ownership structure, account mandates, signatories, registration documents and movement of funds involving the accounts to establish their actual purpose and beneficiaries.
Gagdi said the investigation had also uncovered similarities among several of the organisations in their names, stated objectives, management structures, signatories and
banking relationships.
He said the similarities had prompted the committee to investigate whether the entities were deliberately created or used to give the impression of government legitimacy, secure recognition or obtain money from unsuspecting members of the public.
One of the financial transactions under investigation is an alleged N400 million payment involving a company that accused
Adeyemi of collecting money after allegedly claiming he could facilitate a contract for the renovation, furnishing or improvement of an official residence purportedly allocated to him as PFIPC Director-General.
According to Gagdi, the committee is working to establish where the money went, who controlled the accounts involved and whether other individuals, including public officials, were connected to the transaction.
He said the allegations, if substantiated by investigators and proven before a competent court, could amount to offences including obtaining money by false pretence, fraudulent misrepresentation, impersonation, conspiracy and forgery, among others.
NO LEGAL INSTRUMENT ESTABLISHING COUNCIL, REPS
SAY
The lawmakers also raised questions over the very existence of the purported council, saying the investigation had so far failed to uncover any valid legal instrument establishing the organisation.
Gagdi said the committee found no Act of the National Assembly, gazetted law, presidential executive order or other recognised instrument establishing the PFIPC.
He said documents allegedly used by the organisation to present itself as a Federal Government body were now being examined for possible fabrication, forgery and unauthorised use of government identities.
Among the documents under scrutiny is a purported presidential appointment letter for Adeyemi, an alleged Executive Order and a document presented as an Act of the National Assembly establishing the council.
The committee said evidence obtained from the State House indicated that the purported appointment letter was not issued or signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The panel also noted alleged discrepancies in the letterhead and reference number contained in the document.
Gagdi consequently said the committee found no evidence linking Gbajabiamila to the creation or operation of the purported council.
Instead, he said available evidence showed that the Chief of Staff notified security and investigative authorities after concerns about the organisation were brought to his attention.
The agencies reportedly contacted included the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Office of the National Security Adviser.
The committee also found no culpability on the part of the National Assembly committees responsible for budget scrutiny.
HOW PURPORTED COUNCIL GAINED ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT FACILITIES
According to the committee, a major issue arising from the investigation is how an organisation allegedly lacking a valid legal foundation was able to obtain what appeared to be government recognition and gain access to official administrative and budgetary processes.
The purported council allegedly occupied office space within the Federal Secretariat Complex and maintained a website presenting it as a Federal Government institution.
The organisation was also accused of using the names, positions and photographs of President Bola Tinubu and other senior government officials without authorisation.
The committee identified about 39 individuals allegedly presented as staff members of the organisation and said it was examining their recruitment, appointment documents, identification cards and payment arrangements.
It is also investigating claims that some applicants were allegedly required to pay money before being offered employment.
COMMITTEE CALLS FOR STRONGER GOVERNMENT VERIFICATION SYSTEM
The committee recommended that government ministries, departments and agencies should immediately stop recognising or dealing officially with the purported council until its legal status is independently verified.
It further advised that government funds, budgetary allocations, administrative codes, financial warrants, official facilities and other privileges should not be made available to the organisation or any related entity without proper verification.
The lawmakers also asked financial institutions and investigative bodies to preserve records connected to the accounts under investigation, including transaction histories, account mandates and beneficial ownership details.
They called for comprehensive financial and criminal investigations and recommended prosecution if sufficient evidence is established.
The committee further urged the relevant authorities to trace and recover any assets or funds found to have been obtained through unlawful activities, in accordance with the law.
Gagdi commended the Police, DSS, EFCC, ICPC and ONSA for their assistance in the investigation.
The committee also proposed the creation of a centralised digital verification system that would allow government agencies and the public to independently confirm the legal status and establishing instruments of Federal Government institutions.
Gagdi stressed that the committee’s findings remain preliminary and do not amount to a declaration of criminal guilt against any individual.
He said the panel would continue gathering evidence and giving all affected parties an opportunity to respond before submitting its final report to the House.
According to him, the final report will identify established responsibilities and propose appropriate legislative, administrative, financial, disciplinary and prosecutorial measures where necessary.
Gagdi said the investigation was ultimately aimed at protecting the credibility of government institutions and preventing individuals or private organisations from falsely assuming the authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Presidency cannot be impersonated with impunity,” he said.
