Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has ordered a far-reaching corruption investigation after claims emerged that an alleged fake government agency operated from within the Presidency, secured office space, appeared in the national budget and sought official recognition using what authorities say were forged documents.
The controversy centres on the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), an agency the Presidency insists was never legally created despite appearing to have operated like a genuine government institution.
The matter has raised fresh questions about how the body allegedly acquired official status and whether weaknesses within government systems were exploited.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to carry out a full investigation and submit its findings within 30 days.
The Presidency said a letter purportedly signed by the President's Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, establishing the PFIPC was forged. Police forensic examinations are said to have confirmed that the signature on the disputed appointment letter was not genuine.
Police have launched a manhunt for Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who presented himself as the council's director general. He is wanted over allegations of forgery, impersonation and related offences.
Before disappearing from public view, Adeyemi denied any wrongdoing, insisting the council had been lawfully established. He said he feared for his life but promised to appear in court to clear his name.
He also accused senior government officials of demanding bribes during the process of his appointment before later attempting to take control of the council's funds. The Presidency has rejected those claims.
Adeyemi said the council was established in 2024 to attract foreign investment into Nigeria, although there is no record showing that it secured any investment deals.
The council reportedly had a staff of three, all of whom have been questioned by investigators.
Investigations by BBC News Pidgin found that the body had obtained office space at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, opened bank accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria and was included in the 2026 Appropriation Act with an allocation of 1.3 billion naira, about Sh122 million.
However, the Office of the Accountant-General said the PFIPC never operated an active account with the Central Bank and had not received any government funding or salary payments.
Court documents filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja accuse Adeyemi and two other defendants of using forged government documents to establish and run the council. They are also accused of opening several bank accounts in its name and seeking official recognition for an agency the government maintains does not exist.
Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate claims involving forged appointment letters and official government documents, the alleged use of false claims to obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation, the opening of multiple bank accounts using allegedly forged documents, and the role of any public officer, private individual, financial institution or intermediary that may have helped facilitate the alleged scheme.
The President also instructed investigators to examine how the alleged fake agency managed to present itself as a legitimate government body and identify any weaknesses within public institutions that may have allowed it to operate.
The case has drawn growing calls for an independent investigation from civil society groups, opposition politicians and senior lawyers seeking accountability.
Tinubu said the integrity of the Presidency and federal institutions "must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and the exploitation of weaknesses in the public service".
"All persons found culpable are to be treated strictly in accordance with applicable law," the president's statement read.