President Tinubu Orders Probe Into Fictitious Agency in His Office

President Bola Tinubu on 7 July 2026 ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the creation of a fictitious agency within his office, BBC News reported. He directed the commission to submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.

The alleged body, named the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, received an allocation of 1.3 billion naira in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

It secured office space in the Federal Secretariat in Abuja and opened bank accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria. The Accountant-General's Office stated that the council never held an operational account and received no public funds or salaries. A letter from chief of staff Femi Gbajabiamila that purported to create the council was forged, according to the presidency.

Police forensic analysis confirmed the forgery of Gbajabiamila's signature. Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew had presented himself as the council's director general. Police launched a manhunt for him on charges of forgery, impersonation and related offences.

Matthew told local media he was innocent and feared for his life. He said the council was lawfully established in 2024 to attract foreign investment and accused senior officials of demanding bribes during his appointment and later trying to control its funds. The presidency denied the bribery claims.

The council employed three staff members who have been questioned by police, and no record exists of any investment deals completed by the body. Adeyemi and two other defendants face charges in the Federal High Court in Abuja of using forged documents to establish and operate the council, opening multiple bank accounts and seeking official recognition for an agency the government maintains does not exist.