PFIPC Scandal: ‘Fake’ DG Claims N400m Appointment Fee Was Borrowed

​The embattled Director-General of the now-disowned Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, has disclosed that the N400 million he allegedly paid to secure his appointment was obtained through borrowed funds. He revealed that his creditors have since petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to demand a full refund.

​Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Adeyemi addressed the swirling controversy surrounding the “fictitious” agency, which has rocked the nation’s political landscape. He maintained that he is not a fugitive, despite reports suggesting he is attempting to flee the country, noting that his social media presence had been compromised by external actors aimed at discrediting him.

​Allegations and Calls for Independent Probe

​Adeyemi, who has previously accused the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of collecting the N400 million through a proxy to facilitate the appointment, has intensified calls for an independent panel to investigate the matter. While commending President Bola Tinubu for directing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe the scandal, Adeyemi expressed doubt regarding the impartiality of the current arrangement.

​”True accountability cannot be achieved when the agency conducting the investigation answers directly to the branch of government within which the core allegations lie,” he stated in an open letter dated July 13, 2026. He further alleged that surrendering himself to authorities under the current climate could pose a risk to his life.

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​Budgetary Anomaly and Ongoing Investigations

​The scandal, which first broke in June 2026, centers on the existence of the PFIPC, which the Presidency has officially labeled as nonexistent, describing Adeyemi as an impostor. However, the controversy deepened following the discovery of a N1.3 billion allocation for the council in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

​Adeyemi has consistently denied any involvement in the preparation of this budget, noting that he was in detention at the time of its inclusion. He emphasized that he is prepared to present documentation to relevant security agencies to assist in unraveling how the agency was integrated into the national budget without his participation or defense.

​The police have leveled an eight-count charge of forgery and impersonation against Adeyemi, with arraignment proceedings underway at the Federal High Court. Meanwhile, the Presidency’s directive to the ICPC remains the focal point for resolving the broader questions of how a body deemed “fictitious” managed to acquire official legitimacy, office space, and significant budgetary support.