Questions over how the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) secured a place in the national budget intensified yesterday as fresh claims and divergent reactions fuelled demands for a transparent account of the agency’s budgetary allocation.

The latest claims by the self-acclaimed Director-General of the PFIPC, Adeniyi Adeyemi, have thrown up new questions about how an agency that senior government officials have reportedly distanced themselves from found its way into the nation’s budget, passed through the National Assembly, and was eventually transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

The controversy has, in recent days, placed the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, under growing public scrutiny, with civil society groups, political observers, and socio-cultural leaders demanding greater transparency over the circumstances surrounding the agency’s budgetary allocation.

Speaking in a viral video interview on Wednesday, Adeyemi rejected claims that he orchestrated the agency’s budget proposal or participated in the process that led to its inclusion in the Appropriation Act.

According to him, he was in police detention during the critical period when the budget was being prepared and pro

“I was detained for 23 days between October 27 and November 19. During that period, I was not involved in any budget preparation, and nobody from the agency appeared before any committee to defend a budget,” he said.

The claim has raised fresh concerns about how a budgetary provision allegedly linked to the agency was processed and approved despite what Adeyemi described as the absence of any formal budget defence by the agency’s officials.

Adeyemi described as “deeply confusing” the insistence by some senior government officials that the agency did not exist despite its appearance in the national budget approved by lawmakers and transmitted to the President.

Questioning the official narrative surrounding the controversy, he argued that the agency’s inclusion in the budget suggested that it had, at the very least, received official recognition somewhere within the machinery of government.

“If the agency truly did not exist, how did it get into the national budget? How did it pass through the Senate, the House of Representatives and eventually get transmitted to the President? Those are questions that must be answered,” he stated.

He maintained that the controversy had exposed what he described as glaring inconsistencies within the system and called for a comprehensive investigation to uncover those responsible for the agency’s inclusion in the budget.

The PFIPC chief further disclosed that upon his release from detention, he discovered that the office space previously allocated to the agency had been reassigned to another government official.

According to him, he was subsequently charged in court, a development that further complicated the circumstances surrounding the agency’s operations.

“Naturally, I am asking how an agency whose activities had effectively been halted still found its way into the national budget,” he said.

Although he stopped short of directly accusing any individual, Adeyemi suggested that powerful and influential figures may have helped secure the agency’s inclusion in the budget.

He argued that the circumstances surrounding the allocation pointed to possible corruption and abuse of influence within the system.

“There is something fundamentally wrong somewhere. Whether people like it or not, somebody must explain how the agency got into the budget. That is why I believe a thorough investigation is necessary,” he added.

Adeyemi also addressed questions about his alleged relationship with the President’s Chief of Staff.

According to him, he never held a direct face-to-face meeting with Gbajabiamila over the matter but communicated with him through a mutual associate who has since passed away.

He said he remains in possession of documents and records which could assist investigators in determining what transpired.

Calling on President Tinubu to constitute an independent investigative panel, Adeyemi pledged to cooperate fully with any inquiry and make all relevant documents available to security agencies.

“I am willing and ready to assist any investigation. My interest is for the truth to come out and for Nigerians to know exactly how this happened. I am prepared to submit all documents in my possession to the DSS, the police and any panel set up by the President,” he said.

U.S. lobbyist urges Trump, Congress to expand scrutiny

A United States-based lobbyist, Von Batten-Montague-York, has called on President Donald Trump and the U.S. Congress to expand ongoing scrutiny of Nigeria to include allegations that President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, participated in a scheme to fraudulently obtain or divert U.S.-linked international funding through an allegedly fictitious federal agency.

In a social media post yesterday, Batten-Montague-York alleged that the recently exposed ‘fake’ Nigerian agency, the PFIPC, received an N1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 national budget, which also included World Bank-financed projects.

“We are now officially lobbying for the investigation to be expanded to include a possible conspiracy by senior members of the #Tinubu government to defraud the United States by participating in a scheme to illegally obtain or divert U.S.-linked funding,” he said.

The latest allegations have renewed attention on Gbajabiamila’s previous disciplinary case in the U.S. before he became one of Nigeria’s most influential political figures.

In February 2007, the Supreme Court of Georgia suspended Gbajabiamila from legal practice for 36 months after he admitted to violating professional conduct rules regarding client funds.

Court records show he acknowledged receiving a client’s $25,000 settlement, depositing it into his attorney trust account, failing to promptly remit the money, using the funds for personal purposes, closing his law office and relocating to Nigeria. He, however, later repaid the client before disciplinary proceedings concluded.

The court noted that the admitted misconduct was ordinarily punishable by disbarment but accepted a petition for voluntary discipline imposing a three-year suspension instead.

Years later, reports indicated that his membership in the Georgia State Bar was eventually terminated after he failed to seek reinstatement following the suspension, meaning he is no longer authorised to practise law in that U.S. jurisdiction.

Wike dismisses claims against Gbajabiamila, faults opposition

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, yesterday dismissed allegations linking President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, describing the claims as a politically motivated attempt to discredit the Presidency.

Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, Wike said the allegations lacked credibility and insisted that President Tinubu acted appropriately by directing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter.

He maintained that due process should be allowed to run its course, faulting calls by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition figures for the removal of the Chief of Staff before the conclusion of investigations.

“The demand by Atiku is not new. What did he do when he was Vice President? I know the Chief of Staff very well. Without prejudice, I know him very well,” Wike said.

According to the minister, the office of the Chief of Staff is often the first target of those seeking to embarrass an administration, arguing that the allegations were designed to create public distrust in the government.

“If you want to embarrass any government, the first person you target is the Chief of Staff because people believe that once you get to him, the government will be embarrassed,” he stated.

Wike questioned the logic behind claims that Gbajabiamila could have approved funds for an agency that had no legal existence, insisting that the Chief of Staff neither creates government agencies nor prepares budgetary allocations.

“Does it make sense that an agency that does not exist, he will ask somebody to give it such an amount of money? It is madness. The Chief of Staff cannot create a budget. It is simply not possible,” he said.

The minister also challenged the credibility of the principal accuser, arguing that anyone making such weighty allegations should present evidence before the appropriate security agencies instead of making public accusations and disappearing.

“If the young man knows what he is saying is correct, why run away? You cannot make such serious allegations and then disappear. You need to be interrogated,” he added.

Wike further accused political opponents of exploiting the PFIPC controversy for partisan advantage, noting that opposition figures were quick to issue statements demanding the Chief of Staff’s removal even before any investigation had been concluded.

“A man accused the Chief of Staff today and by the following morning, the opposition had already issued a statement. What is the business of people like Atiku if it is not politically motivated?” he queried.

While stressing that he had no direct knowledge of issues relating to the Budget Office, the minister maintained that the allegations against Gbajabiamila lacked substance and should not be used as the basis for political campaigns.

Ohanaeze rejects ICPC probe, calls for transparent investigation

The revelations have since sparked reactions from prominent socio-cultural leaders, who have joined growing calls for an independent and transparent investigation into the controversy.

A leading member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Goody Uwazurike, warned against any attempt to handle the matter through what he described as internal government mechanisms that may not command public confidence.

Uwazurike argued that the seriousness of the allegations required a truly independent inquiry capable of examining the roles of all individuals and institutions connected to the controversy.

According to him, the President has a rare opportunity to reinforce public confidence in his administration by ensuring that the investigation is transparent and free from political interference.

“If the President genuinely believes in transparency, he should permit an independent inquiry and be prepared to allow whoever is found wanting to face the music,” Uwazurike said.

The Ohanaeze chieftain expressed reservations about the possibility of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) handling the investigation.

He argued that because the commission is a government institution, sections of the public may question the credibility of its findings.

“I don’t think many Nigerians have confidence in an ICPC investigation on this matter. The ICPC is an arm of the government. For credibility, the investigation must be independent and open,” he stated.

Uwazurike further suggested that key officials whose names have surfaced in discussions surrounding the controversy should temporarily step aside while investigations are ongoing.

He specifically called for scrutiny of institutions involved in budgeting, financial approvals, and policy coordination within government.

According to him, a transparent inquiry should not be limited to individuals alone but should also examine the processes and institutions that enabled the agency’s appearance in the budget.

He also questioned the effectiveness of the National Assembly’s oversight responsibilities.

While acknowledging that lawmakers often rely on information supplied by government agencies and ministries, he argued that the legislature still has a constitutional duty to scrutinise budget proposals and verify the legitimacy of agencies seeking public funds.

“Somebody submitted those documents. Somebody approved them. Somebody processed them. These are questions that require answers. The National Assembly also has an oversight responsibility and Nigerians deserve to know how this happened,” he said.

Uwazurike advocated public hearings involving professional bodies, civil society organisations, journalists, anti-corruption advocates and human rights groups, insisting that evidence should be presented openly before Nigerians.

According to him, secrecy would only fuel further suspicion and undermine confidence in whatever conclusions emerge from the investigation.

“If this matter is buried without a credible investigation, history will not be kind. Those implicated will carry the burden of suspicion for life,” he warned.

YCE elder urges restraint, says facts must prevail in PFIPC saga

Also weighing in on the controversy, former Secretary-General of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Dr Kunle Olajide, urged Nigerians to exercise restraint and avoid rushing to judgment before all the facts have been established.

Olajide acknowledged that the allegations have generated significant public interest but cautioned against treating accusations as proof of wrongdoing.

According to him, while there are indications that certain procedures may not have been properly followed, determining responsibility requires a painstaking and evidence-driven investigation.

“From what has emerged so far, it is obvious that many things were not done properly. However, Nigerians must be very careful not to apportion blame prematurely. There may be several people who bear responsibility, and only a meticulous investigation can determine who is liable and to what extent,” he said.

The elder statesman maintained that the allegations are serious enough to warrant an independent investigation capable of commanding public confidence.

He further argued that any public official whose name has been prominently mentioned in the controversy should consider stepping aside temporarily to avoid any perception of interference and to allow investigators to carry out their work without hindrance.

Olajide emphasised that the Office of the Chief of Staff is among the most influential positions in government and serves as a critical link between the President and the machinery of governance.

As such, he said, any allegation touching on the office must be treated with utmost seriousness and handled in a manner that protects the integrity of the Presidency.

“I have absolute confidence in the President. Anything capable of tarnishing the image or reputation of the Presidency must be handled decisively. But at the same time, nobody should be condemned without a proper investigation,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed seeks judicial panel, says Presidency can’t investigate itself

Former presidential aide, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, yesterday said a judicial commission of enquiry should be set up over the saga involving President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila and the purported Director-General of the fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi.

Baba-Ahmed said the commission of enquiry should probe the integrity of those involved in the saga.

Posting on X, Baba-Ahmed insisted that the Presidency can’t probe itself.

He wrote: “A judicial commission of enquiry should be set up to establish all facets of the very serious breach in institutional integrity and roles of persons related to the Presidency and related parts of government regarding the Adeyemi scandal. This government cannot and should not probe itself.” (The Guardian)

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