PFIPC Scandal: Pressure Mounts On Tinubu To Drop ICPC Probe

Civil society organisations and lawyers have faulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the controversy surrounding the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

They argued that an independent inquiry would command greater public confidence and demanded that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other officials linked to the controversy temporarily step aside to guarantee an unfettered investigation.

Tinubu had reportedly directed the ICPC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the purported agency and submit its findings within 30 days.

The PFIPC controversy centres on Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to have been appointed Director-General of the council with the assistance of Gbajabiamila.

The Presidency and Gbajabiamila have denied any connection to the organisation, insisting that it was never created by the Tinubu administration and that documents being relied upon by Adeyemi were forged.

Adeyemi has maintained that the agency was legitimate, pointing to its office at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja and the ₦1.3bn allocation it received in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

Some of the organisations and lawyers who reacted to the President’s directive said the Presidency had already taken a position on the controversy by exonerating Gbajabiamila before the conclusion of a comprehensive investigation.

According to Vanguard, one of the respondents argued that the Chief of Staff should be suspended while the probe was ongoing.

“If he was placed on suspension, the ICPC can be independent,” the respondent said.

“When the Presidency has taken a position in the matter already, exonerated him and apportioned blame without a thorough investigation, that is to tell you that the government is a joke of some sort.

“The Presidency cannot investigate itself. You cannot be the judge, jury and executioner in your own matter. The investigation should be done by independent people.”

The critics maintained that leaving officials connected to the allegations in office could create the impression that investigators were being influenced or constrained.

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, also called for an independent investigation into the controversy.

Atiku said Nigerians deserved a complete account of how the disputed organisation secured government recognition, office accommodation and a budgetary allocation.

“Something is fundamentally wrong within the machinery of this administration. Nigerians deserve the whole truth, not carefully scripted press statements,” he said.

“We therefore demand a truly independent investigation that follows the evidence wherever it leads. No sacred cows. No political protection. No selective justice.”

Gbajabiamila has denied knowing about the PFIPC and reportedly threatened to institute a ₦10 billion defamation suit against Adeyemi.

The Executive Director of the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, David Ugolor, urged Tinubu to direct officials whose actions were being examined to temporarily step aside.

Ugolor said the controversy reflected weaknesses in Nigeria’s public accountability and institutional safeguards.

“The allegations surrounding the so-called phantom agency are yet another reminder of how corruption and weak institutional safeguards continue to undermine governance in Nigeria,” he said.

“While we acknowledge the President’s directive for the ICPC to investigate the matter and submit its report within 30 days, there are legitimate concerns about the credibility and perceived independence of the process if key public officials connected to the allegations remain in office while the investigation is ongoing.”

He said temporarily leaving office would prevent the perception of interference or conflict of interest.

“In the interest of justice, public confidence and international best practice, those whose actions are under investigation should temporarily step aside,” Ugolor added.

The ANEEJ boss said the credibility of the investigation would depend on transparency, independence and accountability.

He urged the government to make the terms of reference public, protect witnesses, examine all relevant evidence and release the findings in full.

“An investigation that is not seen as fair and impartial risks undermining public trust, regardless of its findings,” Ugolor said.

“Nigeria’s international reputation is also at stake. The global community closely watches how countries respond to allegations of corruption involving senior public officials.”

He said the controversy presented the Tinubu administration with an opportunity to demonstrate that no public official was above the law.

“Where wrongdoing is established, those responsible should be held accountable in accordance with the law, irrespective of their position or political affiliation,” he added.

The Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade, said an independent inquiry would have been more appropriate because of the intense public interest in the matter.

Arogundade acknowledged that the ICPC had statutory powers to investigate corruption allegations but said the broader controversy required a process perceived to be impartial.

“It is a complicated situation because, as far as I know, the accused, Mr Adeyemi, is already being charged to court, meaning that the court is in a position to examine the matter and invite witnesses, which effectively would put the matter in the public domain,” he said.

“At the same time, the law establishing the ICPC gives it powers to investigate matters like this. However, given the level of public interest in the matter, an independent inquiry process would have been more ideal.”

The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, said the most important consideration was whether the ICPC investigation would be conducted without interference and in a manner that inspired confidence.

“I welcome every genuine effort to establish the truth and ensure accountability in matters of public interest,” he said.

“Given the seriousness of the allegations and the level of public concern they have generated, it is important that there is a thorough investigation.”

Mamedu said the President’s directive fell within Nigeria’s institutional framework but stressed that the commission must be allowed to act professionally.

“The real test is not simply who conducts the investigation, but whether the process is credible, transparent and independent in practice,” he said.

“What is critical now is that the commission is allowed to carry out its mandate professionally, without interference, and in a manner that inspires public confidence.”

The ActionAid country director said the probe must follow the evidence and make its conclusions available to Nigerians.

“Accountability cannot be selective, and no one should be above the law,” he said.

“At the end of the day, Nigerians just want to see a process they can trust and an outcome they can believe in.”

Mamedu added that the investigation should go beyond identifying individual culpability and address institutional weaknesses that allowed the disputed organisation to operate.

“Beyond individual accountability, government institutions must be strengthened to ensure that weaknesses in oversight, coordination and governance are addressed so that incidents like this do not happen again,” he said.

“While the international community is certainly watching, the more important audience is the Nigerian citizens.”