Nigeria’s president demands to know how fake agency was allegedly set up in his office
Tinubu Orders Probe Into Alleged Fake Agency Created Within Presidential Office
Nigeria s president demands to know - Nigeria's head of state has instructed anti-corruption authorities to conduct a thorough examination following claims that a non-existent governmental body was established inside his administration. President Bola Tinubu issued this directive on Tuesday, calling for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to deliver a detailed assessment within a month. The investigation centers on accusations that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council operated as a phantom organization while receiving substantial taxpayer money. According to official records, the council secured an allocation of 1.3 billion naira, equivalent to approximately $950,000 or £700,000, through the 2026 Appropriation Act.
Forged Documents and the Suspect
The presidency maintains that the foundational document creating the council was not genuine. Police forensic experts reportedly verified that the signature belonging to Femi Gbajabiamila, the president's chief of staff, on the appointment letter was counterfeit. Authorities are currently pursuing Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who had been identifying himself as the council's director general. The suspect faces multiple charges including forgery, impersonation, and associated criminal offenses. Before disappearing, Matthew communicated with Nigerian media outlets expressing his belief in his innocence and voicing concerns about his personal safety.
He promised to appear before the court to vindicate himself, maintaining that the organization was properly constituted according to legal procedures.
Matthew further alleged that high-ranking government figures requested bribe payments throughout his appointment process and subsequently tried to seize control of the council's financial resources. The presidential office has rejected these claims.
Agency Operations and Verification
According to Matthew, the council was established in 2024 with the objective of drawing international investment into Nigeria. However, no documented transactions or agreements have been found to support this claim. The organization maintained a workforce of three individuals, all of whom have been interviewed by law enforcement. BBC News Pidgin conducted independent verification revealing that the purported agency obtained office premises within the Federal Secretariat, the extensive government complex containing numerous ministries in Abuja. Additionally, the council opened several banking relationships with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation Scope
Court documents filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja outline accusations against Matthew alongside two additional defendants. They are charged with utilizing counterfeit official papers to create and run the supposed council, establishing multiple financial accounts under its name, and pursuing formal recognition for an entity the government insists never existed. Tinubu has instructed investigators to examine several specific matters: - Authenticity of appointment letters and government paperwork - False assertions made to obtain official recognition and diplomatic assistance, including visa processing - Bank account openings conducted with supposedly fraudulent documentation - Involvement of any government employees, private citizens, banking institutions, or middlemen who might have supported the alleged fraud The president additionally requested that investigators assess broader conditions allowing the supposedly imaginary organization to appear legitimate, while pinpointing procedural vulnerabilities in government systems that were reportedly exploited.
Public Response and Presidential Statement
Growing demands for an independent examination have emerged from civil society groups, opposition lawmakers, and prominent legal professionals. The controversy has intensified calls for transparency regarding how such a body could secure official status and funding.
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.
The president's official statement emphasized that everyone determined to be responsible would face strict consequences according to existing legal frameworks. Additional reporting contributed by Adesola Abisoye in Lagos.