The controversy surrounding the alleged establishment of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has intensified, with civil society organisations, lawyers and political stakeholders calling for a more independent investigation into the matter.
The calls followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the allegations and submit its report within 30 days.
Some critics have argued that an ICPC-led investigation may not sufficiently address public concerns because the allegations involve individuals linked to the Presidency.
They urged that those connected to the matter should step aside to allow for a transparent and credible process.
The controversy began after Matthew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claimed to be associated with the PFIPC, alleged that he received appointment documentation through the office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
He also claimed the organisation’s budgetary allocation was captured in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, with about N1.3 billion earmarked for its operations.
The alleged agency was said to have operated with hundreds of staff at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, before questions emerged over its legitimacy.
Gbajabiamila has denied any involvement with the alleged organisation and threatened legal action against Adeyemi over claims he described as defamatory.
Reacting to the development, some civil society groups insisted that only an investigation perceived as independent and transparent could restore public confidence.
The Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor, said officials whose actions are linked to the allegations should temporarily step aside to prevent any perception of interference.
He stressed that the credibility of the process would depend not only on the institution conducting the investigation but also on the transparency and independence of the exercise.
Similarly, the Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Lanre Arogundade, said while ICPC has the legal authority to investigate corruption allegations, an independent inquiry would have been more suitable given the public interest generated by the matter.
Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr Andrew Mamedu, also called for a credible and evidence-based investigation, urging that the process must be conducted without fear or favour.
He said Nigerians were interested not only in the outcome but also in whether the process would command public trust.
However, some legal experts maintained that ICPC remains the appropriate statutory body to investigate corruption-related allegations, provided it is allowed to carry out its duties without interference.
Human rights lawyer Idris Faro argued that the ICPC investigation should proceed and lead to sanctions if anyone is found culpable.
Another lawyer, Toluwa Odekhe, said the President’s directive was within his powers but noted that the anti-graft agency must ensure transparency by making its terms of reference and findings available to the public.
Meanwhile, activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju renewed calls for an independent investigation and urged the government to ensure that no individual connected to the allegations influences the outcome of the probe.
He argued that public confidence would only be restored if the investigation was conducted by individuals without perceived links to those involved.
As the ICPC begins its assignment, stakeholders insist that the outcome must go beyond resolving the immediate controversy and address broader concerns about accountability, transparency and the integrity of Nigeria’s public institutions.
