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Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, has officially demanded a full report on how a fictitious agency was allegedly set up inside his own office. The agency, called the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), reportedly received a public allocation of 1.3bn naira—about £700,000 or $950,000—despite never having been formally approved by the legislature.
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The claim rests on a forged appointment letter issued by the president’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Forensic analysis by the police has confirmed that the signature on the document was fraudulent.
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Police are conducting a man‑hunt for Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who had been presenting himself as the PFIPC director‑general. Adeyemi fled into hiding after a local media interview in which he denied wrongdoing and threatened for his safety, yet pledged to appear in court to clear his name.
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The president has instructed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the allegations and to submit a comprehensive report within 30 days of the order.
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The ICPC’s remit will cover forged appointment letters, illegal attempts to secure official recognition, the opening of multiple bank accounts under the agency’s name, and any role played by public officers, private individuals or financial institutions that may have facilitated the scheme.
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The scandal has intensified public scrutiny from civil society groups, opposition politicians, and senior legal experts, all calling for an independent inquiry into how a non‑existent body could acquire the appearance of legitimacy and receive public funding.
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Presidential remarks in Abuja emphasized that “the integrity of the presidency and federal institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of system weaknesses.” All individuals found culpable will face strict legal consequences, according to the president’s statement.
