President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the activities of a “fictitious” Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and all related matters.
As stated in a State House press release, on Tuesday, by the Special Adviser (Information and Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, the investigation should be concluded and a comprehensive report submitted to the president within 30 days.
The directive followed what the president discovered to be “a fictitious PFIPC, which was never established by the Federal Government of Nigeria and which has no basis in any law, presidential instrument, executive approval, or other lawful act of government.”
Investigating the PFIPC Scandal
It was stated in the release that: “One Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew has presented himself as the Director-General of the so-called PFIPC and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.
“Among the issues to be investigated by the ICPC are the forged appointment letters and other official government documents.
“The use of a false claim of presidential appointment to seek or obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation;
“And the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.”
President Tinubu therefore directed the ICPC to investigate, not only the conduct of the principal individual and other collaborators involved, but also the wider circumstances that may have enabled a fictitious body and a false claim of presidential appointment to acquire an appearance of official legitimacy.
“The investigation is to examine the provenance and use of false official documents; the processes through which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained;
“The opening and operation of any related bank accounts; the source and movement of any funds involved; and the role of any public officer, private individual, financial institution, intermediary or other person or entity that may have facilitated, enabled or participated in the alleged scheme,” it was added.
The president further directed ICPC to identify any weaknesses in government and institutional procedures that may have been exploited and to recommend immediate measures to prevent the recurrence of similar abuses.
“All ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have been directed to provide the ICPC, upon lawful request, with all relevant information, records and assistance required for the expeditious completion of the investigation,” it was stated.
President Tinubu stated that 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.
This was as he further directed that all persons found culpable should be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law.
The controversy revolved around Adeniyi Adeyemi, who insisted that he was lawfully appointed as the Director-General of the PFIPC, despite the Presidency’s insistence that the council does not exist.
The Femi Gbajabiamila Angle
He had also pointed fingers at the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, as one of his enablers, claiming that the CoS knew about the existence of PFIPC.
Adeyemi particularly addressed a press conference on 25 June, 2026 where he made claims that, contrary to the official denials of the existence of PFIPC, Gbajabiamila demanded for and collected millions of naira from the Council.
Among others, he had claimed that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of a take-off grant for the PFIPC; received ₦400 million through proxies for appointments; abused his office to intimidate individuals and media houses; and was involved in budget fraud, manipulation of security agencies, corruption, abuse of office, and a criminal cover-up, including murder.
However, the Chief of Staff to the President, on Tuesday, gave Prince Adeyemi 72 hours to retract the alleged defamatory claims made against him during the press conference, or face civil and criminal legal action.
The ultimatum was issued through Gbajabiamila’s legal counsel, Pinheiro LP, in a cease-and-desist letter dated 6 July, 2026, and signed by Kemi Pinheiro SAN.
The letter described Adeyemi’s allegations as false, malicious, reckless and entirely without factual foundation.
The law firm stated that Gbajabiamila has never met, communicated with, or had any relationship with Prince Adeyemi, describing the publication as grave allegations of criminality made without lawful justification or evidence.
The firm further stated that the claims by Adeyemi have damaged Gbajabiamila’s reputation, exposed him to public ridicule, and diminished confidence in his office.
