On 8 July, President Bola Tinubu announced that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission would conduct a comprehensive investigation within 30 days into allegations that a fictitious government agency – the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) – was created and operated from his office.
The PFIPC, according to the presidency, was granted a budget of 1.3 billion naira (about £700,000 / $950,000) through the 2026 Appropriation Act and was given a separate office within the Federal Secretariat. Despite no campaign or agreements linked to foreign investors, the council allegedly opened multiple bank accounts using forged documents.
Authorities have placed a manhunt in place for former director‑general Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who presented himself as the council’s chief. Adeyemi was reported to have signed the agency’s appointment letter with the forged signature of Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila. The police have also questioned three other staff members linked to the supposed council.
At the center of the controversy, the president’s office claims the letter forging was determined to be a forgery through forensic analysis. As a result, the judiciary docket has a federal court case filed with charges that the council was a “non‑existent body” that still sought official recognition and diplomatic support, including a special visa facilitation process.
President Tinubu stated that the investigation would cover any use of forged passports, permissions, and the exploitation of public office to serve private interests. He emphasised that any individuals found culpable would face strict legal actions and called for the protection of national integrity against “impersonation, forgery or abuse of public offices.”
The scandal has stirred calls from civil society groups, opposition politicians and lawyers for an independent inquiry. It highlights vulnerabilities in governmental procedures where institutions have been allegedly manipulated to give a false semblance of legitimacy.
