The ‘fake’ agency scandal probe

The recent controversy surrounding the existence of a ‘fake’ Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) under the current administration cannot be dismissed or treated with levity. The scandalous allegations are too weighty to be swept under the carpet. This is why resolving the saga requires a transparent, independent and forensic investigation.

The controversy has, indeed, raised disturbing questions that deserve honest answers. Reports indicate that the PFIPC recruited 300 members of staff in August 2025. The council is also reportedly listed under the Presidency with an allocation of N1.3 billion in the 2026 federal budget. But government officials have insisted that the agency is fake and nonexistent.

There are many questions begging for urgent answers. How did the agency allegedly obtain recruitment approval? Why did it reportedly appear in official budget documents? If the documents are inaccurate, who inserted the agency into government records? If they are authentic, why has the government distanced itself from the council?

Even more troubling are reports that the PFIPC operated from office space within the Federal Secretariat in Abuja. If verified, such a development would represent a serious institutional failure. It would be extraordinary for a non-existent agency to occupy government premises, interact with public officials and conduct activities without the knowledge or oversight of responsible authorities.

At the centre of the controversy is Adeniyi Adeyemi, who has become both the face of the allegations and the target of official rebuttals. Government officials have publicly discredited him and rejected his claims. His allegations against the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, have been debunked as well. He is currently facing trial on allegation of forgery and impersonation.  Adeyemi, on his part, has responded with his own documents, facts and figures, insisting that his account deserves consideration.

We call for independent probe to scrutinise the controversy. The allegations against government officials are too weighty to be ignored. Claims have emerged that as much as N600 million was allegedly demanded, with N400 million reportedly paid and a balance of N200 million allegedly outstanding. There are also allegations regarding a demand for 48 per cent of the PFIPC’s proposed N22.4 billion take-off grant. These grave accusations warrant forensic scrutiny. They cannot be wished away by official denials.

Equally, they cannot be accepted as fact merely because they have been made publicly. Only a transparent investigation, supported by documentary evidence, financial records and witness testimony, can establish where the truth lies. An independent panel composed of respected jurists, forensic auditors, anti-corruption experts and other credible professionals whose findings command public confidence could be constituted to investigate the matter.

The investigation must examine every aspect of the controversy. It should verify the legal status of the PFIPC, investigate the circumstances surrounding alleged recruitment waiver, determine why the council reportedly appeared in the 2026 budget, review all financial transactions connected with the matter, authenticate relevant correspondence and establish whether any public officials exceeded his or her authority or acted improperly. No individual or institution should be exempt from scrutiny.

It is good that President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to thoroughly investigate the activities of the PFIPC. The agency has a timeframe of 30 days to conclude the investigation and report to the President. We urge the ICPC to be diligent in the probe and ensure that the outcome of the probe is made public. The investigation must also be transparent and fair to all the parties concerned. To enhance the integrity of the probe, it is important that serving government officials mentioned in the matter should proceed on leave or step aside.

On no account should this matter be swept under the carpet. All those fingered in this matter should be brought to book. There should be no sacred cow syndrome in the matter. The federal government must use this case to demonstrate that it is very committed to the war against corruption. Let the government show that all Nigerians are equal before the law. In other words, nobody is above the law.

It is important that Adeyemi’s safety and constitutional rights to defend himself are guaranteed. He must be afforded the protection guaranteed by law. He should be allowed to present any evidence in his possession before competent investigators without intimidation, harassment or threats to his personal security. Whistleblowers, witnesses and other individuals with relevant information should likewise be protected so that the investigation can proceed without fear or interference.

Nigeria has reached a stage where grave allegations relating to PFIPC can no longer be resolved through accusations and counter-accusations. Nigerians are watching to see the outcome of the matter. Other countries in Africa and beyond are also watching us. This is a test case for the government’s anti-corruption war.