ICPC Responds to Misrepresentations in Abati's Column

Dr. Rueben Abati's column titled “The Menace of Fake Agencies” contains factual inaccuracies regarding the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and its investigation into unauthorized agencies. On July 7, 20206, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) and report within 30 days.

The ICPC, under the leadership of Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, conducted a thorough investigation and submitted its findings to the President on August 6. During this investigation, the ICPC uncovered two additional unauthorized agencies: the FCT Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency/Public-Private Partnership (FIPA-PPP).

On August 21, Dr. Aliyu briefed President Tinubu about further findings, which included a third unauthorized agency, the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, linked to George Buchi Nwabueze. Abati's column inaccurately questions the ICPC's role and findings in this investigation.