The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has categorically denied claims that the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) opened an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This denial directly contradicts a statement issued last week by presidential media spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, who alleged that the council's convener, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, fraudulently opened a CBN account by misleading the OAGF.
Background: The Presidency's Earlier Statement
In a statement released last week, Onanuga claimed that the police investigation revealed that Adeyemi, using fake documents, opened a CBN account by deceiving the OAGF. Onanuga stated, “The Police found that Adeyemi, using the fake documents he created, fraudulently opened a CBN account by misleading the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. According to the police, no government money has been transferred into the account.”
OAGF's Rebuttal: No Operational Account Exists
However, in a detailed rebuttal on Monday, the Director of Public Relations at the OAGF, Bawa Mokwa, clarified that the PFIPC never completed the process required to operate a CBN account. Mokwa stated that this made it impossible for any government allocation to be paid into its coffers. He explained that an application to open the account was initiated after Adeyemi presented an “appointment letter” linked to an existing government agency. However, the process stalled because the names of authorised signatories were never submitted, preventing the account from becoming operational.
“The account has not seen the light of day. It has not received one kobo because it was never fully activated. The Accountant-General has not released any money because there is no operational account for such payment,” Mokwa said.
Budgetary Allocation Does Not Mean Fund Release
Mokwa further clarified that while the council has a budgetary allocation, the existence of a provision in the Appropriation Act does not automatically translate into the release of funds. He stressed that the OAGF follows strict procedures before any funds are disbursed.
Salary Payments to PFIPC Staff Denied
The OAGF also dismissed claims that salaries had been paid to staff of the council. Mokwa explained that federal agencies cannot recruit personnel or process salary payments without obtaining approvals from the Federal Character Commission, the Budget Office, and the Federal Civil Service Commission. Only after these approvals can workers be enrolled on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
“If an agency is granted a waiver to recruit, it must still obtain approvals from the relevant agencies before presenting staff details to the Accountant-General. Without those approvals, not even one employee can be captured on the payroll,” he said.
No Statutory Conditions Fulfilled by PFIPC
According to Mokwa, none of the statutory conditions have been fulfilled by the PFIPC. He insisted that the council had neither an operational CBN account nor an approved payroll through which government funds or salaries could have been disbursed. This statement further underscores the OAGF's position that no government money has been lost to the fraudulent scheme.
