President Tinubu Orders Investigation Into Alleged Fictitious Government Agency

President Bola Tinubu has commissioned a corruption investigation into claims that a non‑existent government agency was established within his own office, allegedly with public funding of $950,000 (£700,000).

The presidency asserts that the letter from the president’s chief of staff establishing the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) was forged.

Police have initiated a manhunt for Adeyemi Adeyemi Matthew, who identified himself as the “PFIPC director general,” on suspicion of forgery, impersonation and related offences.

Before going into hiding, Adeyemi informed local media that he was innocent and now feared for his life.

He also pledged to appear in court to clear his name.

Adeyemi claimed the council was created in 2024 to attract foreign investment to Nigeria, though no deals have been recorded.

On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate and deliver a comprehensive report within 30 days.

BBC News Pidgin investigations revealed that the agency secured office space in the Federal Secretariat — the extensive government complex housing many ministries in Abuja — opened bank accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria, and was listed in the 2026 Appropriation Act with an allocation of 1.3 bn naira ($950,000; £700,000).

The presidency claimed forensic analysis by police confirmed that the signature of the president’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, on the disputed appointment letter was forged.

According to charges filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Adeyemi and two co‑defendants are accused of using forged official documents to establish and operate the purported council, opening multiple bank accounts in its name and seeking official recognition for an agency the government maintains does not exist.

The president also instructed investigators to examine the broader circumstances that allowed an allegedly fictitious body to acquire the appearance of official legitimacy and to identify procedural weaknesses that may have been exploited.

The scandal has triggered mounting pressure from civil‑society organisations, opposition politicians and senior lawyers demanding an independent inquiry.

Tinubu asserted that the integrity of the presidency and federal institutions must be safeguarded against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and exploitation of public‑service weaknesses.

“All persons found culpable are to be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law,” the president’s statement read.

Additional reporting by Adesola Abisoye in Lagos

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