Lawyer Maxwell Opara has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of public officials allegedly linked to the controversial fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, arguing that the scale of the alleged fraud points to widespread institutional complicity.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Opara described the alleged establishment and operation of the fake agency as one of the most brazen cases of fraud in recent times, insisting that key government institutions could not have been unaware of its activities.
“We have graduated from padding of budgets to now creating a fake agency as an epitome of fraud. Nobody should tell me they were not aware. All of them are involved. I stand to be challenged.”
He questioned how the organisation allegedly secured office space, government budget codes and official recognition, saying such developments would have required approvals from multiple government agencies.
“The National Assembly, the Head of Service, the Chief of Staff, they are aware. A fake agency had an office in the Federal Secretariat and a budget was allocated to it. Who approved that budget? What was the oversight process?”
Opara stated that the alleged fraud exposed serious weaknesses in government oversight and accountability, warning that such incidents could undermine investor confidence and public trust in state institutions.
“This has economic effects, political effects and moral effects. How do you expect people to come and invest in this country when things like this happen?”
He further called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch comprehensive investigations into the matter.
According to him, public officials allegedly connected to the controversy should have stepped aside to allow for transparent investigations.
“Everybody should have stepped aside and subjected themselves to investigation. This is executive impunity, and all of us should rise to condemn it.”
Opara maintained that if the allegations are substantiated, those responsible should be arrested and prosecuted without regard to their status.
“Those behind this alleged fake agency should have been arrested by now. Nobody is above the law. They should be arrested, prosecuted and, if found guilty, convicted.”
He also criticised security and anti-corruption agencies for what he described as a slow response, insisting that the law should be applied equally to all public officials irrespective of their positions.
Concluding, Opara urged Nigerians to pay closer attention to issues of accountability and governance as the country approaches the next election cycle, stressing that strengthening institutions remains essential to combating corruption and restoring public confidence.
Ojo Triumph
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