Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has faulted the Federal Government’s explanation of the alleged fake presidential agency scandal, raising questions over how the organisation allegedly operated within government circles and demanding an independent investigation into the controversy.
Atiku said the government should institute an independent and forensic investigation into the matter, arguing that merely describing the agency as fictitious does not explain how it allegedly operated within government circles, engaged public officials and interacted with foreign stakeholders without being detected.
The position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Atiku Media Office in response to the Federal Government’s account of the case involving Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who is accused of posing as the head of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), a body the Presidency maintains does not exist.
The Presidency, through the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had earlier said Adeyemi forged official documents, created fictitious presidential bodies and falsely presented himself as a government official. It also disclosed that he would be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 27 on charges bordering on forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
Reacting to the government’s position, Atiku’s media office questioned how an organisation described as a “ghost agency” could allegedly operate from the Federal Secretariat, which is under the supervision of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, without attracting official scrutiny.
The former vice president also called on the government to explain reports that the agency allegedly secured a budget code and a N1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
It further argued that the agency could not simply be dismissed as fictitious, claiming there was evidence that it exchanged official correspondence with both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The statement also claimed that Adeyemi held meetings with several senior public officials, including Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olanipekun Olukoyede, diplomats, traditional rulers and prospective investors.
According to the Atiku Media Office, the Presidency’s statement also failed to address an alleged claim by Adeyemi that he paid N400 million to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The statement further referenced the death of Dolapo Tanimola, described as an alleged intermediary in the controversy, saying the circumstances underscored the need for a comprehensive investigation.
Atiku maintained that public officials allegedly linked to the matter should not absolve themselves through press statements alone, insisting that an open and independent probe was necessary to establish the full facts.
He also called for a speedy trial of Adeyemi and urged investigators to examine the roles of all individuals who may have been connected to the alleged scheme.
The former vice president urged the government to ensure the matter is thoroughly resolved before the 2027 general elections, arguing that doing so would help restore public confidence in public institutions.