The Managing Director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, Gbenga Collins, has told the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) that he lost ₦400 million after allegedly being deceived by the council’s embattled Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi.
Collins made the disclosure on Tuesday while testifying before the committee, which is probing the alleged establishment and operations of the PFIPC, an agency whose legal status has come under scrutiny.
According to him, Adeyemi convinced him to finance the renovation and furnishing of what was presented as the official residence of the PFIPC Director-General, assuring him that the payment would lead to the award of a lucrative government contract.
Collins explained that he had no reason to doubt Adeyemi’s claims because the suspected fraudster operated from an office inside the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, moved around with armed security personnel, used official vehicles bearing government number plates, and received visitors in what appeared to be a legitimate government office.
He told lawmakers that these factors gave him the impression that the PFIPC was a recognised Federal Government agency, prompting him to release the ₦400 million.
The businessman, however, said he later realised he had been scammed after the promised contract failed to materialise, leading him to report the matter to the authorities.
The House committee is continuing its investigation into the activities of the PFIPC and the circumstances surrounding its operations, with lawmakers seeking to determine how the agency functioned and whether due process was followed in its establishment.
ALSO READ:How the US Lobbying Firm Offers to Help PFIPC DG Seek Asylum Amid Growing Controversy
Hope you find the Above publication useful, Calabargist will love to keep you updated via our newsletter by subscribing with your email.
