PFIPC Scandal: Atiku Challenges Tinubu to Name Officials Involved

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to identify government officials allegedly involved in the controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

Atiku made the demand on Friday through a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu. He said the interim report by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission did not clear the presidency of responsibility over the matter.

According to Atiku, the report pointed to negligence and possible cooperation among some people within government processes. He said this raised questions about how an alleged impostor was able to gain access to government offices and official resources and operate under the name of a government institution.

The ADC presidential candidate argued that the matter could not simply be blamed on one individual because several steps allegedly taken by the suspected fraudster would have required access to government systems and official processes.

The controversy involves Adeniyi Adeyemi, who allegedly presented himself as the head of the disputed agency. The allegations against him include forging a presidential appointment letter, creating a fictitious government agency, using offices and official resources previously linked to the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and opening bank accounts with allegedly forged legislative documents.
Adeyemi has also been accused of creating two other fictitious government agencies as part of the alleged scheme.

President Tinubu ordered the ICPC on July 7 to carry out a 30-day investigation into the controversy following weeks of public concern. The investigation was expected to examine how the alleged activities took place and whether government officials or other individuals assisted the process.

The President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, was mentioned during the controversy and appeared before the ICPC on July 20 to provide information. He has also filed a N15bn defamation suit against Adeyemi over allegations connected with the matter.

Adeyemi is facing an eight-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charges filed by the police in November 2025 include conspiracy, forgery and impersonation. He was later rearrested in July after allegedly violating his bail conditions and failing to appear for his court proceedings.

The House of Representatives has also commenced a separate investigation into how the disputed agency reportedly received a N1.3bn provision in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

Atiku said the alleged fraud could not have succeeded without failures within government systems or assistance from people who had access to official institutions. He therefore called on the government to disclose the identities of any officials whose actions or negligence may have contributed to the situation.

He also called for an independent panel to conduct a wider investigation into the controversy. According to him, the panel should examine how the alleged agency was created, how it gained access to government facilities and how financial accounts were opened in its name.

Atiku further urged the National Assembly to organise a public hearing and broadcast the proceedings live. He said such a hearing would allow Nigerians to hear directly from the people involved and understand how the alleged activities took place.

He said the government should allow Adeyemi to appear before lawmakers and answer questions publicly if he was willing to testify. Atiku maintained that an open investigation would help establish the facts and determine the roles played by anyone connected to the matter.

The former vice president also said the identities of public officials suspected of negligence should not be kept secret, arguing that Nigerians deserved to know how the alleged breach of government procedures occurred.