The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed amended charges against Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-styled head of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). According to Premium Times, the commission increased the original 22 counts to 36 and named four additional civil servants as co-defendants in the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja. The new suspects include staff from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Accountant-General, and the Budget and Economic Planning Ministry, who allegedly helped the phantom agency operate and secure budgetary status.
Punch detailed the specific allegations against the four officials. Aminu Abdullahi, a senior technical officer in the SGF office, allegedly received N4.002 million to secure office space for Adeyemi. Harry Ogaba, an accountant in the Chief Economic Adviser’s office, was accused of taking N560,000 for access to former advisory council offices and releasing two official vehicles. Florence Omameh, an inspectorate officer, faced charges for receiving N250,000 for an inspection, while Patricia Akhigbe, a budget ministry assistant director, was charged with receiving gratification and impersonating a public servant.
AllAfrica reported that the Nigerian police originally filed the case last year, with the ICPC taking over last month. This marks the second amendment by the commission. On Monday, the session intended for Adeyemi’s bail hearing was paused because the new charges required all five defendants to enter pleas. However, Omameh’s absence due to health issues prevented the arraignment, even though she had been served with the documents. The other defendants were present in court.
Prosecutor Sylvanus Tahir, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, argued that Omameh’s absence hindered the prosecution under Section 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. He requested a brief delay for her recovery. Defence lawyer Ibrahim Angulu agreed to the amendment but noted Adeyemi’s long detention. Justice Yusuf Halilu set a new date of November 18 for the arraignment, sending Adeyemi back to Kuje Correctional Centre and the others to the ICPC facility.