The controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has continued to spark debate, with civil society organisations and legal experts calling for a transparent and independent investigation into the matter.
The calls followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate allegations linked to the agency and submit its findings within 30 days.
Several stakeholders argued that public confidence in the investigation would be strengthened if officials connected to the allegations temporarily stepped aside while the probe is ongoing.
The controversy began after Matthew Adeniyi Adeyemi claimed he received an appointment linked to the PFIPC through the office of the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. He also alleged that the agency received a budget allocation of ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act and had hundreds of staff operating from the Federal Secretariat in Abuja.
Gbajabiamila has denied any involvement with the agency and announced plans to institute a ₦10 billion defamation suit against Adeyemi. However, Adeyemi has maintained that the council is a legitimate government agency.
Reacting to the development, Executive Director of the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor, said public officials linked to the allegations should temporarily step aside to eliminate any perception of interference and strengthen public confidence in the investigation.
He urged the authorities to ensure the process remains transparent by making the terms of reference public, protecting witnesses, thoroughly examining available evidence, and releasing the investigation’s findings for public scrutiny.
The International Press Centre (IPC) also suggested that while the ICPC has the legal authority to investigate corruption-related allegations, an independent inquiry could have enhanced the credibility of the process because of the high level of public interest.
Similarly, ActionAid Nigeria stressed that the most important factor is ensuring the investigation is conducted professionally, transparently, and without external influence, adding that accountability must apply equally to everyone regardless of status.
Human rights lawyer Idris Faro said the ICPC remains the appropriate institution to handle the investigation under Nigerian law, expressing hope that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted while innocent parties are cleared based on evidence.
Another lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, maintained that the investigation should be completely independent and reiterated his position that suspending officials connected to the allegations would improve public confidence in the outcome.
Legal practitioner Toluwa Odekhe also acknowledged the President’s constitutional authority to direct the ICPC to investigate the matter but emphasized that the anti-corruption agency must carry out its assignment free from political influence and ensure transparency throughout the process.
He further called for the publication of the investigation’s terms of reference, protection for whistleblowers, proper legislative oversight, and the public release of the final findings to strengthen trust in the outcome.
