How Controversial PFIPC DG Lived in Alaafin’s Palace, Forged His Way into Govt System

The unfolding scandal surrounding Prince Adeniyi Mathew Adeyemi, the self-proclaimed Director-General of the alleged ghost agency, Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), has taken a new turn with revelations about his past ties to the Palace of the Alaafin of Oyo and how he allegedly infiltrated the Federal Government system using forged documents. Investigations conducted by federal agencies from early 2025 revealed that the controversial DG was not biologically related to the late monarch, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, but rather grew up in the palace and adopted the title of prince. Sources confirmed to the Nigerian Tribune that Adeniyi Mathew’s situation caught the attention of security agencies early last year, triggering investigations across multiple locations, including educational institutions, business links, and childhood locations. A top aide to the late Alaafin Adeyemi confirmed to investigators that the said Prince Adeniyi Mathew Adeyemi was not in any way related to Oba Lamidi Adeyemi. The top aide also confirmed that the surname of the controversial DG is Adeniyi, while his middle name is Mathew. It was gathered that at a stage, Oba Adeyemi had to warn him to drop the use of the title of Prince because he was never a prince.

The controversy surrounding Adeyemi escalated following an altercation with the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who disowned him and accused him of running an illegal body. Documents reviewed showed that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) acted on letters from Adeyemi’s PFIPC, apparently believing the council was a legitimate agency under the Presidency. Adeyemi’s claim to office reportedly began with a purported appointment letter dated March 8, 2024, conveying his appointment as Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC). The letter claimed President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment effective March 1, 2024, was written on what appeared to be State House letterhead, and carried a signature placed above Gbajabiamila’s name. The Chief of Staff has denied writing or signing the letter. According to a highly-placed civil servant who reviewed the document after Adeyemi’s arrest, the DG exploited a bureaucratic blind spot. “Adeniyi took that fake letter, falsely signed by Gbajabiamila, to the civil service headquarters and said ‘please refer to my appointment letter attached.’ He arranged his terms of reference where he stated that he needed an office.” The civil servant noted that officials were supposed to know that the Chief of Staff does not appoint anyone at that level, but the loophole allowed the fraud to proceed.

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The PFIPC scandal revealed how a supposedly non-existent agency managed to secure official recognition and government resources. Documents showed that on July 29, 2025, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation wrote to the CBN requesting the creation of domiciliary accounts for two MDAs, including the PFIPC. On August 13, 2025, the CBN confirmed that it had opened dollar and pounds accounts for the council. Adeyemi also wrote to the Accountant-General’s office on January 13, 2025, requesting self-accounting status for the agency. Despite the letter being written on State House letterhead, it was signed by Adeyemi as Director-General of PFIPC. After further correspondence, the OAGF granted the council a six-month provisional self-accounting status effective May 27, 2025. The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation formally processed and forwarded a request by the council’s self-styled Director-General seeking office accommodation from recovered Federal Government properties through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Correspondence, dated November 21, 2024, was signed by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri, on behalf of the SGF. Court documents showed that Adeyemi eventually operated from the second floor of the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja. By April 2025, Adeyemi wrote to the OAGF requesting accounting and audit staff, and at least three civil servants from the OAGF were later deployed to the agency on August 28, 2025. Additionally, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation reportedly approved 314 staff positions for the purported agency.

His matter became further complicated following the discovery that he operated a Treasury Single Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria and that his agency was allocated the sum of N1.3 billion in the 2026 budget, aside from the fact that he operates from the Federal Secretariat, Abuja. The budget allocation has raised serious questions about how a non-existent agency found its way into the national budget. SERAP has urged the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to disclose certified copies of all documents relating to the consideration and approval of the allocation to the PFIPC in the 2026 Appropriation Act. The organization argued that Nigerians have a right to know whether public funds were appropriated for an entity that was not lawfully established. BudgIT also called on President Bola Tinubu to order an independent investigation into the N1.3 billion allocation, questioning how the alleged agency secured office space within the Federal Secretariat, operated several CBN accounts, and engaged government institutions, development partners and diplomatic missions before concerns were raised over its legitimacy.

The scandal has prompted calls for an independent investigation, with growing demands for transparency and accountability. Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Public Affairs, acknowledged that it was impossible to deny the existence of internal collaborators in the fake agency scandal. The Presidency has directed security and anti-graft agencies to identify, arrest, and prosecute government officials who may have collaborated with Adeyemi to run the ‘phantom’ council. The Federal Government has filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi before the Federal High Court, with hearing fixed for July 27, 2026. The charges include conspiracy, forgery of a presidential appointment letter, impersonation, and related offences.

Investigations have also revealed that Adeyemi previously served briefly in 2023 as Senior Special Assistant on Protocol to Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke. A top government source said Adeyemi was appointed to handle visa and travel documents for the governor and other officials but was dismissed after allegations of misconduct surfaced, including an incident where he allegedly forged the signature of Governor Adeleke. The scandal has led to calls for the Chief of Staff’s removal, with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) demanding that Gbajabiamila step aside to allow for an independent investigation. The opposition party questioned how an agency described as non-existent could allegedly secure government funding and operate financial accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria.

How Controversial PFIPC DG Lived in Alaafin’s Palace, Forged His Way into Govt System

MURIC urges El-Rufai’s lawyers to ensure integrity of court documents, renews call for bail

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged the legal team of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to ensure that all documents presented before the court meet the highest standards of integrity, while reiterating its demand that the opposition politician be granted bail.

The faith-based civil rights organisation said although it has consistently defended El-Rufai’s fundamental rights, it would not compromise its commitment to justice, truth and fairness.

MURIC made its position known in a statement signed by the Chairman of its Kano State Chapter and Coordinator for the Northern States and Abuja, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa.

According to the organisation, it has become increasingly concerned about what it described as the growing complexity surrounding the former governor’s bail applications, particularly the most recent application, which it said was reportedly supported by a medical report allegedly obtained from the National Hospital, Abuja.

The group claimed that the medical report was later disowned by the hospital’s management, citing reports that the Chief Medical Director allegedly informed investigators that the document was issued without the knowledge or authorisation of the hospital’s management.

MURIC said the reported development influenced the decision of a Kaduna High Court to dismiss El-Rufai’s third bail application.

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According to the organisation, the court reportedly held that a medical report whose authenticity had been questioned could not serve as the basis for granting the relief sought by the defendant.

While stressing that the authenticity of the document remains a matter for the appropriate authorities and the courts to determine, MURIC warned that if allegations surrounding the document are eventually established, it would raise serious concerns about the integrity of materials presented in judicial proceedings.

The organisation maintained that responsibility for ensuring the credibility of documents tendered before the court rests primarily with members of the legal team handling the case.

Despite expressing concern over the reported controversy, MURIC reaffirmed its support for El-Rufai’s constitutional rights, insisting that every Nigerian is entitled to a fair hearing and equal protection under the law.

The group recalled that it has repeatedly called on relevant authorities to respect the former governor’s fundamental rights, allow him access to his family and personal physicians, and ensure that he receives appropriate medical attention throughout the duration of his trial.

It also referenced a reported court order directing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to grant El-Rufai unrestricted access to his personal doctors and permit him to seek treatment at any specialised diagnostic or medical facility of his choice within Nigeria, where necessary.

Quoting Qur’an 4:135, MURIC said its current position was guided by the Islamic principle of standing firmly for justice, even when doing so may not favour those it has publicly defended.

The organisation therefore urged El-Rufai’s lawyers and supporters to conduct the legal proceedings with restraint, professionalism and respect for due process.

“Anything presented before the court must have passed the necessary integrity test,” the group said.

MURIC also appealed to the judiciary to continue handling the case impartially, urging the courts to uphold the rule of law and dispense justice fairly without fear, favour or sentiment.

The organisation concluded by expressing confidence that adherence to due process, credible evidence and judicial independence remains the best path to achieving justice in the ongoing legal proceedings involving the former Kaduna State governor.

MURIC urges El-Rufai’s lawyers to ensure integrity of court documents, renews call for bail

NIPSS Attack: Troops Nab Suspects, Recover Stolen Army Rifle in Jos South Raid

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested two suspects in connection with the recent attack on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Plateau State, marking a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the assault on the strategic national institution. The suspects were apprehended on July 4, 2026, at about 3:30 p.m. during an intelligence-led operation by Sector 6 troops at the Trade Centre in Jos South. One of the suspects has been identified as Mr. Aboi, while the identity of the second suspect has not yet been officially released as investigations continue. The two men are allegedly linked to the Berom militia network operating in the area.

Security sources confirmed that the suspects are currently undergoing interrogation to help security agencies identify and apprehend other members of the alleged criminal network responsible for the attack on the NIPSS facility. “The suspects are being exploited for further intelligence that could lead to the arrest of other members of the group involved in the attack,” a security source told Zagazola Makama. The arrests are expected to assist investigators in unraveling the network behind repeated attacks on security personnel and strategic facilities within the Kuru-Vom corridor.

The arrests follow a failed attack on the NIPSS facility on July 2, 2026, which occurred at approximately 12:10 a.m. when armed assailants breached the institute’s security perimeter and opened fire on troops on sentry duty. Troops swiftly engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, neutralizing one suspect while others escaped into nearby rocky terrain with suspected gunshot wounds. No casualties were recorded among security personnel during the encounter.

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During the operation, troops recovered a service rifle bearing registration number CO-3175, loaded with 16 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Military authorities confirmed that the weapon had been stolen from a Nigerian Army soldier who was killed during an earlier attack at the Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Vom, on April 11, 2026. The recovery of the stolen rifle prompted security agencies to expand investigations into possible links between the recent attacks on security personnel operating along the Kuru-Vom axis.

The July 2 incident was the second attack on NIPSS within a short period. On June 16, 2026, gunmen stormed the institute, resulting in the deaths of three security operatives—two soldiers and one police officer. The attack raised fresh concerns over security around one of Nigeria’s foremost policy training centres. Following the June attack, Vice President Kashim Shettima visited NIPSS for an on-the-spot assessment of the institution’s operations and security arrangements. NIPSS Director-General, Professor Ayo Omotayo, confirmed that intelligence reports had indicated the likelihood of an attack prior to the incident, which enabled security operatives to respond swiftly.

The identification of the slain attacker has generated controversy. Security analyst Zagazola Makama initially reported that the neutralized suspect was a suspected member of an armed Berom militia operating in the area. However, the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) strongly rejected this claim, stating that the Berom community does not operate any militia group. BYM President, Barrister Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, challenged the report’s conclusions, arguing that the ethnicity of the deceased had not been independently established and urging security agencies and journalists to rely on verified information when reporting security incidents. In a follow-up report, Zagazola Makama published additional information identifying the deceased attacker as Peter, a Berom resident of the Trade Centre area, supported by local residents and multiple security and community sources, including a WhatsApp video. Security sources said the latest arrests in the same Trade Centre axis have strengthened investigators’ efforts to establish the composition of the group responsible for the attacks.

Military authorities have reinforced security around the NIPSS complex, with troops maintaining aggressive patrols, surveillance, and domination operations aimed at preventing further attacks on the institution and adjoining communities. Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the North Central Zone, Mohammed Bala Ishaq, assured staff and participants of adequate protection, stating that the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, had strengthened security deployments within and around the institute.

NIPSS Attack: Troops Nab Suspects, Recover Stolen Army Rifle in Jos South Raid