politics
Nigerian President Orders Probe Into Alleged Fake Agency
President Bola Tinubu directed an investigation after a letter surfaced claiming he created a new government body. The letter and a related signature were later deemed forgeries.
Jul 8, 1:16 PM·1m read1 source
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Nigerian President Bola Tinubu ordered an investigation into allegations that a fake government agency valued at $950,000 was established in his office. The letter claimed Tinubu had authorized creation of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, abbreviated PFIPC. Forensic analysis determined that a signature attributed to his chief of staff was forged, BBC News reported.
Background on the agency The PFIPC was created in 2024 and operated for two years. It secured office space in the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, opened accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria, and appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act. No records show any deals conducted under the agency name. Tinubu stated the government must guard against impersonation and forgery.
Legal actions and responses Charges filed in federal high court named three PFIPC staff members accused of using forged documents. Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, listed as director general, is the main suspect and is currently in hiding after a police manhunt.
Matthew had denied wrongdoing and accused officials of seeking bribes and control of agency funds, claims Tinubu rejects. Several opposition politicians, lawyers, and organizations have called for an independent inquiry. Tinubu requested a full report within 30 days.
