Civil Service Head Admits to Approving Fake Documents

Esther Didi Walson-Jack, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, admitted before the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee that her office approved requests based on documents later found to be fake. This admission occurred during an investigation into the alleged creation of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) in Abuja.

Walson-Jack stated that the Establishment Act submitted by the agency was not genuine and acknowledged that her office relied on these fake documents to grant an unauthorized establishment and recruitment waiver. She noted discrepancies in an appointment letter purportedly issued by the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.

The committee questioned officials from the Office of the Accountant-General regarding the issuance of an administrative code to the agency, revealing that the response letter was collected by the alleged fake Director-General. The committee concluded that there was a coordinated use of fake documents to obtain government approvals and budgetary processes, with a final report forthcoming.