Tinubu Orders Probe Into Alleged Fake Agency Created Within Presidency

Nigeria s president demands to know – Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, has issued a formal directive for a comprehensive investigation into serious allegations concerning a fictitious government body allegedly established inside his own administration. The inquiry focuses on the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an organization that reportedly secured public funding valued at approximately $950,000, which equates to £700,000. According to official statements from the presidency, the foundational letter that purportedly created this council was not genuine. The document was said to carry the signature of Femi Gbajabiamila, who serves as the president’s chief of staff, but forensic analysis has since confirmed that this signature was indeed forged.

The Suspect and the Scheme

Law enforcement authorities have initiated a manhunt for Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, a man who had been actively presenting himself as the “PFIPC director general.” He is currently facing suspicion of forgery, impersonation, and several related criminal offenses. Prior to going into hiding, Matthew addressed local media outlets, asserting his innocence and expressing fear for his personal safety. He made a commitment to appear in court to clear his name, maintaining that the body was lawfully established. Additionally, he leveled accusations against senior government officials, claiming they demanded bribes during his appointment process and subsequently attempted to seize control of the council’s financial resources. The presidency has firmly denied these specific allegations.

Financial Discrepancies and Official Records

Matthew stated that the council was established in 2024 with the primary goal of attracting foreign investment to Nigeria. However, there are no documented records of any deals or transactions being finalized. The organization reportedly maintained a staff of three individuals, all of whom have been questioned by police investigators. BBC News Pidgin has uncovered that the agency managed to secure office space within the Federal Secretariat, the expansive government complex in the capital city of Abuja that houses numerous ministries. Furthermore, the agency appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a significant allocation of 1.3 billion naira. Despite this official listing, the Accountant-General’s Office has clarified that the PFIPC never possessed an operational account with the Central Bank of Nigeria and has not received any public funds or salaries to date.

Scope of the ICPC Investigation

On Tuesday, President Tinubu instructed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a thorough examination and submit a detailed report within a thirty-day period. The commission has been tasked with investigating multiple facets of the scandal. These include verifying the authenticity of appointment letters and other official government documents, as well as assessing the use of false claims to seek official recognition and diplomatic support, which included facilitating visas. The investigation will also scrutinize the opening of multiple bank accounts using allegedly forged documents. Moreover, the ICPC must determine the role played by any public officer, private individual, financial institution, or intermediary that may have facilitated the alleged scheme.

Legal Charges and Public Reaction

Charges filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja allege that Matthew and two other defendants utilized forged official documents to establish and operate the purported council. They are accused of opening multiple bank accounts in the council’s name and seeking official recognition for an agency that the government maintains does not exist. The scandal has prompted mounting public pressure from civil society organizations, opposition politicians, and senior lawyers who have demanded an independent inquiry. Tinubu emphasized the need to protect the presidency and federal institutions from such abuses.

“The integrity of the presidency and federal institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of weaknesses in the public service.”

The president also ordered investigators to examine the wider circumstances that enabled an allegedly fictitious body to acquire the appearance of official legitimacy. He stressed that the government must identify and address procedural weaknesses that were alleged to have been exploited. In his statement, Tinubu declared that all persons found culpable are to be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law. This directive underscores the administration’s commitment to accountability and transparency in the face of this growing controversy.