Fresh details have emerged in the investigation into the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) as operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) interrogated the alleged Director General of the disputed agency, Adeniyi Adeyemi, while he remained in police detention.
Adeyemi, who is being held at the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja, was questioned by ICPC investigators on Wednesday over allegations surrounding the creation and operations of the PFIPC, a body the Presidency has repeatedly said was never established by the Federal Government.
Investigators are also examining claims that forged government documents were used to present the council as an official presidential agency, open bank accounts and seek recognition from government institutions.
The interrogation did not begin as planned after Adeyemi’s newly engaged lawyer failed to appear at the scheduled 10 a.m. session. In line with criminal procedure, ICPC officials postponed the interview to ensure the suspect had legal representation before questioning commenced.
A senior police source familiar with the investigation said, “The ICPC earlier today (Wednesday) was at the Cybercrime Centre in an attempt to interview Adeyemi around 10am, but the interview could not hold after the set-up had been done because his lawyer was absent. That was why the interview was later fixed for 3pm.”
Another police source confirmed that the interrogation eventually started after Adeyemi’s lawyer arrived but noted that investigators were unable to complete the exercise.
The source said, “His lawyer eventually came and he was later interrogated in the presence of his lawyer. They couldn’t conclude the questioning today and there’s the possibility of them continuing some other day, probably tomorrow (today).”
The latest development comes days after Adeyemi was arrested over claims that he falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC. The controversy deepened after he alleged that President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, gave him an appointment letter and that he paid money to secure the position.
Gbajabiamila has strongly denied the allegation, filed a lawsuit against Adeyemi and also honoured an invitation by the ICPC as part of the investigation.
Confirming his client’s appearance before the anti-graft agency, Gbajabiamila’s lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said, “In full cooperation with the ICPC acting as directed by the President of Nigeria, I hereby confirm that my client, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria, responded to the invitation of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and appeared at about 15:00hrs on Monday, July 20, 2026, as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of the ‘PFIPC’ fake agency, among others.”
He added, “My client gave his testimony, responded to questions accordingly, and has returned to his duty post.”
President Tinubu had earlier directed the ICPC to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the PFIPC after the Presidency declared that the council never existed. The probe covers allegations that forged appointment letters and official government documents were used to falsely portray Adeyemi as a presidential appointee, while investigators are also examining claims that multiple bank accounts were opened in the names of government agencies using forged documents and that diplomatic support and visa facilitation were sought under the council’s name.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the PFIPC is expected to question several senior government officials, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, Minister of Finance Taiwo Oyedele and Accountant-General Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.
The lawmakers are seeking explanations on how the PFIPC appeared in the 2026 budget proposals and allegedly secured office accommodation within the Federal Secretariat despite repeated claims by several government institutions that the council was never recognised or established by the Federal Government.
The committee’s investigation follows testimony from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, who told lawmakers that the ministry rejected Adeyemi’s requests for collaboration after due diligence raised concerns over the authenticity of the council. He also disclosed that the Office of the National Security Adviser informed the ministry that inquiries with both the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President showed that Prince Adeyemi was unknown to any Federal Government office.
Also, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Tinubu administration of failing to provide clear answers over conflicting explanations by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Central Bank of Nigeria regarding bank accounts linked to the council. Atiku called for an independent investigation and urged the National Assembly to summon the heads of both institutions to explain the conflicting claims.
