I Was Scammed, Says Businessman Who Paid N400m To Embattled PFIPC DG Adeyemi
Victim tells House committee he was convinced the agency was genuine after meetings at the Federal Secretariat and is now seeking justice after losing N400 million
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Businessman Tells Reps He Paid N400m for Fake FG Contract
The Managing Director of Divine Dopacy Nigeria Limited, Gbenga Collins, has told the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee that he paid N400 million to Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly posed as the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), after being promised a government contract.
Collins said he believed the agency was genuine because Adeyemi operated from an office inside the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, used official government vehicles with security escorts, and received visitors in what appeared to be a legitimate government office.
According to him, Adeyemi awarded his company a contract to renovate and furnish what was presented as the official residence of the PFIPC Director-General. To secure the contract and prove his financial capacity, Collins said he was instructed to pay N400 million.
He explained that he raised the money from business associates, paying N380 million in four instalments into a company account between May and June 2025, while the remaining N20 million was paid in July 2025 into another account.
Collins told lawmakers that Adeyemi repeatedly promised contract mobilization, but no payment or project ever followed. After months of excuses, he sought legal advice and was informed that he had allegedly been defrauded.
His lawyer subsequently petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which has been investigating the matter. Collins claimed investigators told him Adeyemi repeatedly failed to honor invitations from the anti-graft agency.
The businessman said the incident has crippled his business, forced him to sell personal assets, and left him struggling to repay those who contributed money for the project.
During the hearing, lawmakers questioned whether the payment amounted to a bribe. Collins denied the allegation, insisting the money was presented as a mobilization requirement rather than an illegal inducement. He admitted, however, that he did not follow the formal public procurement process.
The committee said Adeyemi would be questioned at a later date to avoid interfering with ongoing investigations by the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police.
