قطاعة خضروات كهربائية
وفر 20%! اشترِ قطاعة خضروات كهربائية بسعر 209.28 د.ل فقط في ليبيا. متوفر حالياً،
🛒 تسوق الآنA Million Dollars to a Non-Existent Agency: How Fraud Penetrated Nigeria's Government Budget
A Million Dollars to a Non-Existent Agency: How Fraud Penetrated Nigeria's Government Budget
Fake Agency Was Allocated $944,000 in Nigeria's National Budget — Offices Inside Federal Secretariat
Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an urgent investigation into how a completely fake government agency — the "Presidential Council for Foreign Intervention Promotion" — was allocated 1.3 billion naira (approximately $944,000) in the national budget and operated openly within the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, the same complex housing legitimate ministries.
The directive was issued to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which has been given 30 days to complete a full investigation and report back to the presidency, according to a statement from the Nigerian presidency released Sunday.
Who Is Behind the Fake Agency?
A man identified as Adeniye Ademi Matthew allegedly presented himself as the Director General of the non-existent council, falsely claiming presidential appointment and forging official documents to support his position. The presidency described him as a "fraudster" with a history of false claims, stating emphatically that the government never established such a council and that no law, presidential instrument, or executive approval backs its existence.
In a statement, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga called Matthew a convicted fraudster who had previously impersonated a United Nations-affiliated youth organization leader back in 2017, claiming to be the elected president of a body called the "World Youth Organization" which later proved completely unaffiliated with the UN.
How the Scam Was Uncovered
According to The Guardian (UK), the scheme unraveled in October when Femi Gbajabiamila, Nigeria's Chief of Staff to the President, sent a letter to police alleging that his signature, official seals, and reference numbers had been forged by Matthew. The Chief of Staff maintained he had never met Matthew and did not personally deliver any appointment letter, contrary to Matthew's claims.
Police subsequently filed an eight-count charge sheet against Matthew and two other suspects, including criminal forgery, impersonation, and fraud. The case is set for hearing at an Abuja court on July 27.
Budget Breach and Banking Network
The investigation revealed that Matthew allegedly misled the office of the Accountant General of the Federation to open bank accounts for the fake council at the Central Bank of Nigeria and 33 commercial banks. He was also accused of meeting foreign ambassadors without the knowledge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and using his false presidential appointment claims to secure diplomatic support including visa facilitation.
The presidency stressed that no public funds were actually disbursed to the fake agency, though the budget allocation had already been approved in the current fiscal year.
Political Fallout Ahead of Elections
The scandal has intensified political pressure on President Tinubu, 74, as Nigeria approaches general elections scheduled for January next year. The saga has revived public debate on corruption in Africa's largest economy, with critics questioning how a non-existent agency found its way into the national budget in the first place.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar — who is running against Tinubu in the upcoming elections — called for the formation of an independent investigation committee that includes civil society leaders, opposition parties, and the Nigerian Bar Association. "Nigerians deserve the full truth, not carefully crafted press releases," said his spokesman Frank Shaibu, adding: "We demand a truly independent investigation that follows the evidence wherever it leads. No sacred cows, no political protection, no selective justice."
Broader Implications for Governance
A Senate proposal for an independent inquiry into the matter was rejected, while the House of Representatives formed a committee to question Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Abubakar Atiku Bagudu. The case highlights significant vulnerabilities in Nigeria's government procedures and institutional controls, raising urgent questions about how fraudulent entities can penetrate national budgeting processes.
The president has directed the investigation to identify the weaknesses in government procedures that were exploited and recommend immediate measures to prevent recurrence of such violations. For Libya and other developing economies, this scandal serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust institutional oversight and transparent budget allocation mechanisms.
— Libya Press / Economy Desk
