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Tag: Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew

  • Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu Admits Meeting Alleged PFIPC Fraudster, Says He Was Also Deceived

    Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has acknowledged meeting alleged fraudster Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, saying he was among those deceived by the suspect who allegedly posed as the head of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

    Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Kalu told lawmakers that his interaction with Mathew was based on the belief that he represented a legitimate government agency.

    Kalu: I Was Also a Victim

    Addressing the chamber, the Deputy Speaker explained that several public officials, including himself, had unknowingly engaged with Mathew because he presented himself as a genuine government appointee.

    Kalu maintained that he was a victim of the alleged deception and had no knowledge that the organisation Mathew claimed to represent was not recognised by the Federal Government.

    His remarks come after photographs and reports showing Mathew meeting with the Deputy Speaker in 2025 resurfaced following the scandal.

    PFIPC Under Investigation

    Mathew is accused of operating the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and allegedly using forged appointment letters and official documents to present himself as a presidential appointee.

    Authorities allege he falsely claimed to be the Director-General of the council, secured meetings with senior government officials and attempted to obtain official recognition through forged documents.

    The Presidency has repeatedly denied establishing the PFIPC, insisting the organisation has no legal backing or presidential approval.

    President Bola Tinubu has since directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of the alleged council and everyone connected to it.

    Court Case Continues

    The Nigeria Police Force has filed charges against Mathew over allegations including forgery, conspiracy and impersonation.

    The case is expected to proceed in court later this month as investigations continue.

    Kalu’s statement adds to growing concerns over how the suspect allegedly gained access to senior government officials before the alleged fraud was uncovered.

  • Tinubu Orders ICPC to Probe Fake Presidential Council, Gives 30-Day Deadline

    President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the activities of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing it as a fictitious body with no legal backing.

    The President ordered the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 30 days.

    Tinubu orders comprehensive probe

    According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and has no basis in law, executive approval or any official government instrument.

    The Presidency said one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the council and claimed to be a presidential appointee.

    Forgery, bank accounts under investigation

    President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the alleged forgery of appointment letters and other government documents, as well as claims that the suspect used the false presidential appointment to obtain official recognition, diplomatic support and visa facilitation.

    The investigation will also cover the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents.

    The President further instructed the commission to investigate the source and movement of funds linked to the alleged scheme and determine whether any public officials, financial institutions, intermediaries or private individuals facilitated the operation.

    MDAs directed to cooperate

    Tinubu also ordered all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government to provide the ICPC with all relevant records and information required to complete the investigation promptly.

    He directed the commission to identify weaknesses in government procedures that may have enabled the alleged fraud and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.

    According to the statement, the President stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and government institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery and abuse of official identity.

    He also directed that anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law.

  • AGF: PFIPC Has No CBN Account, Received No Government Funds

    The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has clarified that the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) does not operate any account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and has not received government funds.

    The clarification comes as investigations continue into the activities of the council, which the Presidency has repeatedly described as a non-existent government agency.

    OAGF addresses funding claims

    In a statement, the OAGF said the PFIPC “has no operational account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)” and “received no funds.”

    The clarification follows growing public scrutiny over how the council reportedly operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, employed staff and carried out official activities despite being disowned by the Presidency.

    Presidency disowned council

    The controversy began after the Presidency announced that the PFIPC was not a recognised government institution.

    Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga had alleged that Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew falsely claimed to have been appointed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, using forged documents.

    Adeyemi was subsequently arrested and charged with forgery and impersonation before being granted bail. He has denied the allegations and insists his appointment was genuine.

    Budget allocation raises questions

    The controversy deepened after reports revealed that the PFIPC appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a budget allocation exceeding ₦1.3 billion for personnel, overhead and capital projects.

    The revelation has triggered calls for investigations into how the agency was included in the national budget despite the Presidency’s position that it does not exist.

    Civil society organisations and political groups have also demanded greater transparency over the approval process and possible involvement of public officials.

    Questions remain

    While the OAGF maintains that no government funds were released to the PFIPC through the CBN, questions remain over how the council allegedly financed its operations, maintained offices and conducted official activities.

    The matter is expected to remain under investigation as legal proceedings against Adeyemi continue.