President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conclude a comprehensive investigation into the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) within 30 days.
According to The PUNCH, the directive followed the Presidency’s insistence that the PFIPC was never created by the Federal Government and has no legal backing, executive approval or presidential instrument.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu directed the anti-corruption agency to investigate forged appointment letters and other official documents allegedly used by Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, who claimed to be the Director-General of the council.
The investigation will also examine allegations that Adeyemi used the purported presidential appointment to obtain official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation, while opening multiple bank accounts in the names of government agencies using allegedly forged documents.
The President further instructed the ICPC to investigate how the fictitious organisation gained an appearance of legitimacy, trace any funds linked to the alleged scheme, identify individuals or institutions that may have facilitated it and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.
Tinubu directed all federal ministries, departments and agencies to cooperate fully with investigators, stressing that anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law.
The directive comes after weeks of controversy surrounding the PFIPC, which reportedly received a ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act despite repeated claims by the Presidency that the agency does not exist.
The Presidency also maintained that forensic analysis carried out by the Nigeria Police confirmed that the signature of the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Adeyemi’s appointment letter was forged.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police have released Adeyemi’s father after questioning him over his son’s whereabouts. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, who represents Adeyemi, criticised the earlier arrest of the suspect’s father, describing it as unlawful and insisting his client has consistently appeared in court and will attend the next hearing scheduled for July 27.
Also on Tuesday, the Senate distanced itself from the controversy. Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said the National Assembly could not investigate the matter because no formal petition had been submitted and the case is already before the court.
Adaramodu also rejected suggestions that lawmakers inserted the controversial budget allocation, stating that the executive branch was responsible for the appointments and administration of ministries, departments and agencies.
Adeyemi is currently facing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges including conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
