Presidential Directive Initiates Investigation into Alleged Forgery and Impersonation
President Bola Tinubu has mandated the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) to probe the Presidential Promotion of Foreign Intervention Council (PFIPC) amidst serious allegations of forgery, impersonation, and the use of counterfeit presidential appointment documents.
This directive follows a growing controversy concerning Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathews, who asserts that he was appointed as the Executive Secretary of the council by the Federal Government, a claim categorically denied by the Presidency.
On Tuesday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Assistant to the President on Intelligence and Strategy, announced the presidential order, stating that the ICPC has 30 days to conclude its investigation and present a detailed report to the President.
Initial findings from the President’s office suggest that PFIPC was never established by the federal government and lacks any legal framework. Onanuga emphasized that the alleged council “has no basis in any law, presidential document, executive approval, or any other official act of the federal government.”
The investigation will extend beyond Adeyemi and any alleged accomplices to uncover how this fictitious government agency managed to maintain a facade of legitimacy. Investigators are set to scrutinize the origins and use of the purportedly forged documents, as well as any circumstances under which official recognition or diplomatic support may have been unlawfully obtained.
The ICPC’s inquiry will also assess the financial transactions linked to alleged forged documents used to open bank accounts in the name of government entities. The commission aims to identify procedural weaknesses within the government that may have facilitated these actions, and will recommend necessary reforms to prevent recurrence.
To facilitate a swift investigation, all Ministries and Agencies (MDAs) have been instructed to fully cooperate with the ICPC by providing pertinent records and information. The Presidency reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of public institutions against impersonation, forgery, and the misappropriation of official status, stressing that anyone found culpable will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Background of the Controversy
The turmoil began when Adeyemi claimed he was the legally appointed director-general of PFIPC, despite repeated denials from the President’s office regarding the agency’s existence. He further accused the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, of involvement in financial irregularities, alleging that he received N400 million through intermediaries and demanded an additional N200 million.
Adeyemi also challenged the President’s stance by asserting that the PFIPC is referenced in the 2026 Appropriation Act, asserting his readiness to litigate his claims. He called for the establishment of an independent commission to investigate the allegations.
The Presidency rejected these assertions, labeling Adeyemi a fraudster who forged appointment documents and impersonated a government official to open a Central Bank of Nigeria account under a non-existent agency’s name. It was revealed that following a police investigation, Adeyemi and two others face eight criminal charges, with a trial scheduled for July 27.
In a further twist, Gbajabiamila has threatened to pursue a £10 billion defamation lawsuit against Adeyemi due to the allegations. Legal action is expected to ensue unless Adeyemi retracts his statements and removes related social media content, following a demand issued by Chief of Staff Kemi Pinheiro (SAN).
The intensifying situation has ignited public interest, with some referring to it as “Gbajagate.” Calls for a transparent investigation are growing, and civil society organizations emphasize the need for thorough scrutiny to clarify the truth behind the conflicting claims and restore public confidence in governmental institutions.
As the ICPC embarks on its investigation, all eyes are on whether its findings will bring clarity to the ongoing dispute surrounding the alleged council, the contested appointments, and the fabrications that have captured public attention in recent days.
