Tinubu Unleashes ICPC: Fake Agency Scandal Explodes, ₦1.3bn Appropriation Under Scrutiny!

The Nigerian political landscape is currently embroiled in a significant controversy concerning a purportedly non-existent government agency, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), which nonetheless saw a substantial ₦1.3 billion appropriated for it in the 2026 budget. This revelation has triggered a series of denials and accusations across various arms of government.

The Senate, through its spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu, swiftly distanced itself from the financial allocation, stating emphatically that the ₦1.3 billion budget line for the PFIPC was "neither recommended nor inserted" by the National Assembly. Adaramodu further clarified that lawmakers are not constitutionally tasked with conducting security checks on individuals appointed to head government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), thereby absolving the legislative body of responsibility for the current controversy. The Senate also confirmed it would not intervene in the ongoing dispute, citing that the matter is already sub judice and being handled by the courts. They emphasized that the core of the dispute lies between Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is accused of impersonating a Director-General, and Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.

The controversy deepened as the Presidency unequivocally stated that both the PFIPC and the Presidential Executive Advisory Council (PEAC) are non-existent entities. Adeniyi Adeyemi is at the heart of the scandal, having been declared wanted and subsequently arraigned before the Federal High Court on an eight-count charge of forgery and impersonation. He is accused of creating and using forged government appointment letters and other official documents to falsely present himself as the Director-General of these fictitious agencies. Despite the charges and a police manhunt, Adeyemi has remained in hiding.

In an interview, Adeyemi vehemently denied forging any documents, portraying the government's allegations as an attempt to silence him. He maintained that the PFIPC was legitimately established in 2024 and expressed concerns for his safety. Furthermore, Adeyemi launched a counter-accusation, alleging that President Tinubu's Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, demanded a staggering 48 percent of the ₦1.3 billion appropriated for the agency in the 2026 budget. In response, Mr. Gbajabiamila issued a stern 72-hour ultimatum to Adeyemi, demanding a retraction of all allegations of corruption, abuse of office, fraud, and murder, threatening a ₦10 billion defamation suit and criminal proceedings if Adeyemi failed to comply.

The unfolding scandal prompted calls for independent investigation from prominent political figures. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar urged the federal government to launch an independent probe to ascertain whether Adeyemi acted alone or with the complicity of government officials. Similarly, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki called for a forensic investigation into the matter.

Responding to the gravity of the allegations and the widespread public concern, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the activities surrounding the fictitious PFIPC. In a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President directed the ICPC to submit its findings within 30 days. Onanuga reiterated that the PFIPC was never established by the Nigerian government and lacks any legal or official basis.

The presidential directive mandates the ICPC to investigate a broad spectrum of issues. These include the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other official government documents, the use of false claims of presidential appointment to seek 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. The ICPC is also tasked with examining the broader circumstances that allowed a fictitious body and a false claim of presidential appointment to gain an appearance of legitimacy. This will involve scrutinizing the role of any public officers, private individuals, financial institutions, intermediaries, or other entities that may have facilitated or participated in these alleged activities.

President Tinubu has underscored the importance of protecting the integrity of the Presidency and federal government institutions from impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity, and exploitation of public service weaknesses. All federal ministries, departments, and agencies have been instructed to provide the ICPC with all necessary records and assistance to ensure the prompt completion of the investigation. The President affirmed that all persons found culpable would be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law, reinforcing the government's commitment to accountability and transparency. Adeyemi, if convicted on the eight-count charge, faces significant imprisonment terms.

This comprehensive approach by the presidency aims to unravel the intricate web of deception and identify systemic weaknesses that allowed such an anomaly to occur, ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice and preventing future occurrences.