…Tinubu Orders ICPC To Probe Scandal
By Our Reporter, With Agency Reports
THE SENATE on Tuesday acknowledged that the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), which the Presidency insists is a non-existent agency, has a budget line in the 2026 Appropriation Act, but maintained that the controversy originated within the executive arm of government and should be resolved there.
The admission by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, comes amid growing public scrutiny over how an agency the Presidency has disowned found its way into the federal budget and allegedly operated from the Federal Secretariat in Abuja before security agencies intervened.
The Presidency had last week released a detailed account of the saga, insisting that the Office of the Chief of Staff was the first to uncover the alleged fraud after complaints from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) that another body appeared to be carrying out functions similar to its statutory mandate.
According to the Presidency, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force on October 17, 2025, alleging that forged appointment letters bearing fake signatures, seals and reference numbers were being used to create appointments into non-existent government entities, particularly the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
The Presidency said investigations led to the arrest of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who allegedly presented himself as Director-General of the purported council, operated from an office inside the Federal Secretariat Complex, convened meetings with diplomats and government officials, sought diplomatic support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for visa applications, and allegedly opened multiple bank accounts, including a Central Bank of Nigeria account, using forged documents.
Police subsequently filed an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence against Adeyemi and two others before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The matter is scheduled for hearing later this month.
Despite the Presidency’s explanation, questions have persisted over how the purported council allegedly secured office accommodation in a federal government building and, more significantly, how it appeared in the 2026 budget despite official claims that it never existed.
Responding to questions on the Senate’s position on the controversy, Adaramodu said the upper legislative chamber had not received any petition from the parties involved or from any concerned Nigerian warranting legislative intervention.
He said the Senate would therefore not interfere in the matter, particularly as it had become the subject of litigation.
Adaramodu, however, acknowledged media reports that the alleged fake agency had a budget line in the 2026 Appropriation Act, stressing that the controversy should be resolved by the executive because that was where it originated.
“The allegations and counter-allegations over fake agency and fake director-general are all within the executive and should be sorted out by it.
“Specifically, it is between the Office of the Chief of Staff and the alleged fake DG.
“The budget line being referred to was not created or inserted by the National Assembly and it is not the duty of the Senate or the House of Representatives to carry out security checks on those supposedly appointed to head the various MDAs.
“If the alleged fake DG were to be one of the presidential appointees screened and confirmed by the Senate, the controversy might have been perceived to be somewhat linked to us.
“However, if a petition is sent to the Senate by any of the feuding parties or any concerned Nigerian on the existence or non-existence of the agency or the DG, it will be legislatively looked into,” Adaramodu said.
He also reiterated that because the dispute is already before the court, the Senate would refrain from making further interventions in line with parliamentary practice on matters that are subjudice.
The controversy has generated intense public debate in recent weeks following repeated claims by Adeyemi that he was appointed to head the council, claims that have been categorically rejected by the Presidency.
The Presidency has maintained that neither the PFIPC nor another entity variously described as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council ever existed as agencies of the Federal Government, insisting that the Office of the Chief of Staff neither creates government agencies nor has the constitutional authority to appoint heads of federal agencies.
Tinubu Orders Probe Of Purported Agency
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of a fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The president also directed the commission to conclude the investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.
This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday in Abuja. The directive followed the discovery that the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and had no legal backing, presidential approval or executive authorisation.
Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other official government documents linked to the fake council.
The president also ordered a probe into the alleged use of the false presidential appointment to obtain official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation.
The investigation will further examine the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
Tinubu said the probe should extend beyond the principal suspect to identify all collaborators and those who may have facilitated the alleged scheme.
The investigation will examine the origin and use of forged official documents, the process through which official recognition may have been sought and the movement of any funds involved.
It will also determine the role of any public officer, private individual, financial institution, intermediary or other entity that may have enabled the activities.
The president further directed the ICPC to identify institutional weaknesses that may have been exploited and recommend measures to prevent similar occurrences.
Tinubu directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant records and information required for the investigation.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the Presidency and public institutions from impersonation, forgery and abuse of official identity.
“The integrity of the Presidency and the institutions of the Federal Government must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of weaknesses in the public service,” the president said.
Tinubu also directed that anyone found culpable at the conclusion of the investigation should be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.
