Fraudsters impersonating Buhari’s anti-corruption advisers –FG

The Federal Government has raised the alarm over an orchestrated plot to discredit the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) and by extension government’s anti-corruption efforts.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made this known in Abuja yesterday in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Segun Adeyemi.

He said the PACAC’s letterhead and stamp as well as the signature of its chairman were being forged and used to contact people within and outside the country.

The minister said those behind the plot were using ‘419ers’ and their ilk to portray the country’s highest advisory committee against corruption in bad light.

He said in a particular instance, a letter purportedly signed by PACAC chairman, Itse Sagay, was being sent to unsuspecting persons to extort money from them.

Mr. Mohammed said the letter entitled: “Presidential Investigation on Outstanding Federal Government External Contract Debts,”   and a form to be filled for that purpose were being sent out by the perpetrators to extort money.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the president has not mandated PACAC to investigate and recommend for payment, some outstanding contract debts, as contained in the letter in question.

“The Federal Government has also not approved the disbursement of $850 million in the 2017 budget for payment of the so-called external contract debt.

“We are, therefore, using this medium to inform Nigerians and foreigners alike, to disregard such letters,” he said.

“Sagay and all members of his committee are men and women of proven integrity.’’

He said they would never allow the committee to be used for any activity that was not within its mandate or that was capable of weakening the anti-corruption fight of the administration.

PACAC, headed by eminent lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Itse Sagay was established by President Muhammadu Buhari to advise the present administration on the prosecution of the war against corruption and the implementation of required reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

has appointed a Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption headed by Professor Itse Sagay, a prominent professor of law and civil rights activist.