President Tinubu Orders Probe into Alleged Fake Agency Scam
On July 8, 2026, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu demanded a full investigation into a purportedly forged institution, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), that allegedly siphoned public funds.
The presidency claims a forged appointment letter created the PFIPC, with the alleged director, Adeniyi Adeyemi, presenting himself as its “Director‑General.” Police have placed Adeyemi on the run, charging him with forgery, impersonation and related offences. He escaped to avoid arrest and has since claimed innocence, demanding the council’s legal existence be validated by the courts.
According to police forensic checks, the signature of President Tinubu’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, on the disputed letter was forged. The council reportedly holds three staff members, all of whom are being interrogated.
Adeyemi alleges the PFIPC was set up in 2024 to attract foreign investment but that it never secured any deals, while the presidency denies any involvement in bribe solicitations or financial misuse.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been tasked to investigate the PFIPC and deliver a comprehensive report within 30 days. Investigative questions include:
- Evidence of forged appointment letters and official documents.
- Use of false claims to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, such as visa facilitation.
- Opening of multiple bank accounts using allegedly forged documents.
- Identification of any public officer, private individual, institution or intermediary that may have enabled the scheme.
Additionally, the president directed investigators to examine how a fictitious body could acquire official legitimacy and identify systemic weaknesses exploited by the alleged scheme.
The scandal has drawn mounting pressure from civil society, opposition politicians and senior lawyers demanding an independent inquiry. Tinubu has called for the protection of presidential and federal institutions against “impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of public‑service weaknesses.” He warned that anyone found culpable would face strict legal consequences.
