Fake agency scandal: “This is beyond Adeyemi’— Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has insisted that the ongoing scandal surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) is beyond the main accused person, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.

At the same time, the Senate declined, for the second time in one week, to launch a separate probe into the controversial budget allocation linked to the purported agency.

The development follows the arrest of the controversial PFIPC boss, Adeniyi Adeyemi. He was apprehended by the Nigeria Police Force after failing to appear before a Federal High Court in Abuja to answer charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

Adeyemi has also been at the centre of allegations involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. He claimed that he was asked to pay a ₦400 million bribe and surrender 48 per cent of the agency’s proposed ₦27.4 billion take-off grant. Those allegations have not been proven in court.

In response to the controversy, President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the purported agency and its budgetary allocation. The anti-graft agency has been given 30 days to submit its findings.

Atiku demands independent investigation

Reacting to the unfolding scandal, Atiku Abubakar called for an independent and transparent investigation, arguing that the matter goes beyond the activities of Adeyemi.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President questioned how an organisation that the Presidency now says does not exist allegedly secured office space within the Federal Secretariat, recruited staff, obtained diplomatic recognition and reportedly received public funds.

According to Atiku, the key issue is not merely whether one individual impersonated government officials but whether state institutions inadvertently or deliberately gave legitimacy to the organisation.

He also questioned a reported ₦6.44 billion budget allocation for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, noting that the national team had already been eliminated before the budget was presented.

Describing the allocation as suspicious, Atiku said it reinforced concerns about questionable spending and weak oversight in the federal budgeting process.

The former Vice President further expressed concern that Adeyemi’s arrest could divert attention from broader issues raised by the scandal. While noting that the allegations involving senior government officials remain unproven, he insisted they should be subjected to an impartial investigation.

Atiku maintained that an investigation conducted solely by the ICPC may not inspire sufficient public confidence and urged the National Assembly to establish an independent bipartisan panel to examine every aspect of the controversy.

Presidency backs ICPC investigation

The Presidency dismissed Atiku’s call for another probe, insisting that the ICPC investigation ordered by President Tinubu is adequate.

Speaking on behalf of the Presidency, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, questioned Atiku’s apparent lack of confidence in Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions.

Ajayi argued that the ICPC is legally empowered to investigate corruption-related matters and asked why Atiku would reject an inquiry by a statutory agency.

He also suggested that questioning the credibility of state institutions raises concerns about how Atiku would approach governance if elected president.

Senate rejects fresh motion

Meanwhile, the Senate again declined to investigate the controversial budget allocation linked to the alleged agency.

Senator Suleiman Kawu, representing Kano South, renewed his request for an investigation under a Matter of Urgent Public Importance after a similar motion was rejected last week.

However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio ruled that the matter was already before a competent court and under active investigation by the ICPC, making a separate parliamentary inquiry inappropriate at this stage.

According to Akpabio, proceeding with another investigation while criminal proceedings are ongoing could amount to interfering with the judicial process.

Despite the Senate’s position, Senator Kawu maintained that lawmakers have a constitutional responsibility to examine how the reported ₦1.3 billion allocation for the purported agency was included in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

He argued that the issue concerns the integrity of the National Assembly’s budget approval process and should be independently scrutinised.

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